Mike has performed with some of the brightest
musicians in the jazz and avant-garde world. Such
internationally recognized musicians as David Liebman,
Chet Baker, Ritchie Beirach, Adam Nussbaum, David Binney, Billy
Kilson, Don Thompson, Claude Ranger, Holly Cole and Sonny Greenwich.
As part of the house band at the Ottawa Jazz Festival in 2005,
Mike performed with many great musicians, including: Joshua
Redman, Donny McCaslin and Jeff Ballard. With the Shuffle Demons,
he toured extensively throughout Canada and Europe. With the
trio "Life on Mars", he won first prize at an international
competition at the renown Vienne (France) Jazz Festival. In
1997, he recorded his solo bass Cd "Solo
Flights". "Solo Flights" has been well received
by jazz fans and critics alike.
Mike
studied double bass with Dave Holland and George Mraz; attended
master classes by Ron Carter, Art Taylor, Chick Corea, Randy
Brecker, Billy Higgins, Ed Tate, Dave Holland and many others.
Mike studied composition with Roddy Elias. He studied music
(jazz performance) at Humber College; music education was an
important part of the curriculum. Murray Lauder and Lenny Boyd
were his bass teachers.
Mike
is a highly sought after bassist and performs with many of Toronto's
finest musicians. Current projects include his own trio
with 2005 Juno Award Winner David Braid (Piano) and Joel Haynes
(Drums),the Milligan-Eagles
project with guitarist Wayne Eagles and Billy Kilson (best
known for his work with Dave Holland's Quintet and Grammy award
winning Big Band) and performing as part of the Ottawa Jazz
Festival's
house band during this years (2006) Jazz festival.
Mike
runs a private teaching practice (electric bass, double bass
and jazz improvisation) in Toronto.