MIKAEL,
Genre: Jazz
Career Highlight: Lead Guitar
Arranger / Producer / Engineer / Musician / Vocalist / Songwriter / Composer
If asked to describe the talents of this lead guitarist, composer, songwriter, arranger, and performer, “infinity” immediately comes to mind. There is no end to Mikael’s fusion of style, freely expressing his thoughts and emotions through his music. His first album, “In Ya Pocket,” presents a mature freestyle jazz sound, refined through a long and successful career. From where his musical roots began in Dayton, Ohio, to his successful outing as a member of the Commodores, Mikael’s solo album showcases the never-ending timeline of a unique blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and a touch of reggae.
Mikael began his formal musical training at Sinclair Community College in Ohio. He continued to refine his education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Always in good company; Mikael studied and collaborated with Walter “Junie” Morrison, original keyboardist and lead vocalist for the Ohio Players.
Prior to joining the Commodores, Mikael had a fruitful association with Frank Cornelius of the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Their jointly released single, “Fat Bottom Girls,” was a regular in the rotation on Black Entertainment Television (BET). Later, Mikael formed the male singing group Shades of Gray, with Mikael as lead vocalist. Shades of Gray were quickly picked up to open for the likes of Peabo Bryson and R. Kelly. After his association with Shades of Gray ended, Mikael then added reggae to his musical pantheon. Some of Mikael’s reggae tunes (under his Tuff Gong label) received airplay in Jamaica from top Jamaican radio announcer, Barry G. In the mid-1980’s, Mikael’s single, “It Must Be Nice,” made it to the top 20 in the Miami market and was featured on the hit television show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
From 1995 to 2005, Mikael was a force with the legendary Commodores, with whom his musicianship solidified the group’s high-energy life performances. Mikael’s ten-year relationship with the Commodores began when his fast-rising talents and accomplishments had reached Walter “Clyde” Orange of the Commodores. Clyde called upon Mikael’s songwriting talents to write songs for the Commodores. Once Clyde realized the full extent of Mikael’s talents, Mikael was invited to join the Commodores as their lead guitarist. As a member of the Commodores, Mikael shared the live stage with the likes of Mya, Silk, Glenn Lewis, Gladys Knight, Isaac Hayes…and the list goes on. He appeared on the Lou Rawls Telethon with Stevie Wonder, Ashford & Simpson, and Brian McKnight. On the international stage (including a tour of Japan), Mikael shared the stage with Boyz II Men, Diana Ross, and the Temptations.
Having paid his dues as an artist, composer, songwriters, arranger, and performer, Mikael’s time has come to step into the spotlight. This is Mikael, a new musical force not to be ignored.
