Mike Carson- is a melodic, jazzy , traditional approach to Contemporary Smooth Jazz . . . .exactly what the doctor and worldwide audiences have ordered!Michael Anthony Carson was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. Mike is one of the pioneers of what is commonly known as contemporary jazz. A combination of traditional jazz improvisation and R&B, this genre forms a bridge from the jazz fusion of the late 60s to the jazz pop of the mid 80s. As a child, Mike was introduced to music through his father's purchase of a Ukulele. In the 4th Grade Mike started his love for the wind instruments by playing the clarinet in the Philadelphia public schools. At age 11, Mike performed at the White House Conference on Music and played for Former President Richard Nixon, this was air on NBC in 1969. At age 15, Mike Carson's first gigging band was called, Steel Dagger and they opened up for Stevie Wonder in 1972. In High School studied with Odean Pope and played in the Model Cities Band, and also studied at the Settlement School of Music in Philadelphia. After spending six weeks in India while in high school. Mike Developed a new perspective on music . While in College at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., he studied jazz with the famed clarinetist Alvin Batiste which started the love affair for the sax and later the flute in his hometown Gary, Indiana. At Berklee College of Music, in Boston, he studied with Bill Pierce, Steve Grossman, Andy McGee and Composer/Arranger Mike Gibbs. In Chicago he studied with famed tenor sax player Joe Daly. Mike has played in numerous bands such as AJacks with whom he toured with in Japan in 1992, Hoosier Blues, Together, Bobby Lewis Quartet and was a member of a backup band behind Phil Perry. Mike Carson's first professional gig was with "The Dells" at the Argo Ballroom in Philadelphia. This Gig professional is constantly on the road performing and has finally decided to slow down to give his audience an album project of his own, "Signature". Mike has played on numerous album projects such as "Millenaire", "Circular Soul", "Relations 1", "Hoosier Blues", "Kicking it Old School-Hoosier Blues" and "Language of Love" to name a few. Mike's first recording was with a Haitian Band called Volo-Volo and their first project was called ,"Volo-Volo". Most recent project is with a band, " Positive Energy", who are well known in the Chicagoland area for Jazz and Poetry. Mike's upcoming project is a collaboration with singer/songwriter Nichelle Colvin. Mike has worked on numerous project with Nichelle and finally Mike's Debut album, "Signature" will introduce Mike's extrodinary talent for musical compositions.[LOVEMYFLASH]
