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Mike White
For many musicians, there comes a time when being a successful sideman
isn’t enough and a true artist with a unique voice emerges. For Michael
White, drummer extraordinaire whose multi-faceted resume as a touring
and session player has encompassed a versatile blend of Rock, Country,
R&B and Jazz for over fifteen years, that time is now.
“After so many years playing on other
people’s projects, I’m looking forward to sharing my own music with the
audience, “ says Michael. It’s like most of the work I do in
contemporary Jazz, live and in the studio - no sequencers, no overdubs
or sampling, no frills, just solid playing by great musicians. I bring a
spirit to my music. I put all my heart and soul into a unique sense of
groove. I go by feel, trying to make the music just feel good. If you
feel good, everything else comes easy. If a tune isn’t grooving, then it
is hard to focus on the strength of the lead instrument. But if you’ve
got the flow happening, it sets up an even pace for everything.”
Michael, who is also a world class
percussionist versed in Reggae, Latin and Brazilian Jazz, grew up in
Chicago and began playing drums at age four. Influenced by the city’s
lively music scene and inspired by legends like Buddy Rich, Louie
Bellson, Elvin Jones, as well as Coltrane and Miles, he was always
active in school and neighborhood bands the same. |
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He earned several scholarships,
including one to the American Conservatory of Music, a
prestigious Chicago music college, where he solidified his
drumming skills and learned about composition, mallets, and
piano playing. From local gigs, playing with the likes of Ramsey
Lewis, word of his talent spread and soon he was too busy
working and was forced to drop out of school. |
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Soon he was laying down grooves for some of
Chicago highest profile artists, among those being The Dells, Curtis
Mayfield, The Impressions, and Jerry Butler. Michael went on his first
tour during this time with Denise Williams and a tour with Lou Rawls and
Curtis Mayfield soon followed.
He ventured to Los Angeles in 1982, where
he put to test his credo that “To be a working musician you can’t be
one-dimensional.” During a gig at a Chicago club Phil Upchurch told
Michael that if he came to LA, he would offer him a regular Sunday gig
at the Baked Potato, which would offer the young musician maximum
exposure to the cities top musicians. He took the bait, and was soon
embarking on a whirlwind career – alternating studio, movie scores and
jingle dates with extensive touring with the who’s who of modern music.
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The litany of Michael
White’s studio and live association over the years is staggering
in its versatility and adaptability to all genres. Of his
ability to play in such diverse settings, Michael comments,
“It’s all music to me. As a drummer the main thing I think about
is the groove! Everything else is just icing on the cake. “
The evolution is complete. An
amazing drummer and one of the most accomplished sideman in the
business, has finally stepped out. |
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Artist Web Site -
http://www.mikewhitedrums.com/
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