MIKE GRIOT

Raised in Orange, NJ MICHAEL GRIOT(pronounced "gree-oh") grew up musically bombarded by many influences. At age nine, his parents started him on classical cello; this turned quickly into regular recitals and concerts throughout NJ. A 7th chair All-New Jersey cellist by age 13, GRIOT formed a neighborhood band, and began what would become a career-long vocation as a musical director. By high school graduation, he was playing tuba in the concert band, trombone and electric bass in the stage band, and sousaphone in the marching band.GRIOT’s professional career as a working musician began in college at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and then Howard University in Washington, DC. GRIOT began performing and touring while acquiring his undergraduate degree in Communications(Broadcast Production), with a Minor in Music. Immediately, he reinvested his earnings by booking studio time, and learning computer-based production. Before graduating from Howard, he had built a small recording facility, managed & booked his now popular band four times a week, and managed an emerging rap artist with a video on MTV.After graduation, GRIOT returned to Jersey and expanded even further…eventually building yet another studio and beginning his production company – PWI ENTERTAINMENT. The work did not slow down, however; his tour, performance and studio credits include a who’s who of extraordinary artists, including:COMMON/RUSSELL GUNN/GURU of GANGSTARR/HAROLD MELVIN’S BLUENOTES/UK soul pioneer OMAR/INDIA ARIE/RACHELLE FARRELL/DEBORAH COLEMAN/DIONNE FARRIS/LAURYN HILL/MICHAEL HILL/STACY LATTISAW/SUE FOLEY/N’DEA DAVENPORT/BOBBI HUMPHREY/BILAL/JULIE DEXTER/ANGIE STONE/QUEEN LATIFAH – and countless independent artists.Since 2005, Griot has been a mainstay on the BLUES CARAVAN, an internationally-acclaimed blues/rock tour produced by RUF RECORDS/GERMANY (www.rufrecords.de). In 2006, MICHAEL GRIOT launched the PWI independent record label…..his debut act "black i" dropped its first online release in December 2006. He also went on to produce two new UK-based acts for RUF RECORDS in 2007 -- OLI BROWN and DANI WILDE -- to critical acclaim. Additionally in 2009, PWI opened a new Tampa, Florida production suite. Like his idol Quincy Jones, this renaissance musician/producer/entrepreneur makes contributions throughout the industry, dedicated to the music!