About

This is what I do

Biography

Aug 23, 1938
Born in Danville, Virginia
1956-1960
Attended Florida State University as a Composition major
June 1960
Joined the Charlie Spivak Orchestra
Oct 1960-Oct 1963
Enlisted in US Army
First Army Band, Ft. Jay New York and 7th Army Band, Stuttgart, West Germany
Nov 1963-Jun 1964
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
Sep 1964-Jun 1965
Attended University of Miami, Music Education Degree
1968-1970
Arranger for the Jackie Gleason TV Show, Miami Beach
1965-1970
House orchestra, Deauville Hotell, Miami Beach
1970-present
Freelance Arranger, conductor, and producer

Clients

  • Rod Stewart
  • KC and the Sunshine Band
  • Crosby, Stills, and Nash
  • Bobby Caldwell
  • Jon Secada
  • The Ray Charles Orchestra
  • Bee Gees
  • Baha Men
  • Inner Circle
  • Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Lines
  • Costa Cruises
  • Lionel Hampton
  • Warner Bros. Publishing
  • Kendor Publications
  • Kalmus Publications
  • Alfred Publications
  • Julio Iglesias
  • Harry Chapin
  • Paul Overstreet
  • Boca Symphonic Pops Orchestra
  • Palm Beach Pops Orchestra
  • Glenn Miller Orchestra
  • Barry Gibb
  • Dr. Hook
  • Tanya Tucker
  • Connie Francis
  • Englebert Humperdinck
  • Willie Nelson
  • FireFall
  • Bobby Blue Bland
  • Anita Ward
  • Chayanne
  • Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish)
  • Royal Olympic Cruises
  • Maureen McGovern
  • P. Diddy
  • Sandy Patty
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Joe Augustine/Youngstown Symphony
  • John Mellencamp
  • Cornelius Bros. and Sister Rose
  • Helen Reddy
  • Jose Feliciano
  • Millie Jackson
  • Monti Rock III
  • Osmond Bros.
  • Betty Wright
  • Kim Carnes
  • Frank Derrick Big Band
  • Nancy Reed
  • Duffy Jackson Big Band
  • South Florida Jazz Orchestra
  • Steve Alaimo
  • And many more (really!)

Playing Days

Although Mike stopped playing years ago, he enjoyed a very successful career performing with the following artists:

  • Frank Sinatra
  • Tony Bennett
  • Sammy Davis Jr.
  • Temptations
  • Supremes
  • Tom Jones
  • Johnny Mathis
  • 4 Tops
  • Debbie Reynolds
  • Judy Garland
  • Danny Thomas
  • Bobby Darin
  • Ray Charles
  • Sonny & Cher
  • Chuck Mangione
  • Burt Bacharach
  • Anthony Newley
  • Dionne Warwick
  • Petula Clark
  • Ann-Margaret
  • 5th Dimmension
  • Redd Foxx
  • Bobby Vinton
  • Shirley Bassey
  • Milton Berle
  • Dakota Staton
  • And dozens more!