Mike McGinnis
Encyclopedia
Mike McGinnis is an American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.
) that he devoted himself to playing the saxophone. After high school he attended the University of Southern Maine
where he focused more on classical saxophone and then the Eastman School of Music
where he was able to study with Michael Cain
and Ralph Alessi
. Also at Eastman during this time were many musicians who are creating some the most vibrant music today like Shane Endsley & Kneebody, Jerseyband, So Percussion
, Anna Dagmar, Eric Biondo, Jeff Hermanson. Mike has lived in New York City since 1997.
His first group was called Between Green and featured all of Mike's original music. The other members were Shane Endsley - trumpet, Jacob Sacks - piano, Dave Ambrosio - bass, Mark Dodge - drums. They recorded one CD titled "Tangents" for Ravi Coltrane
's label RKM Music. It was released in 2000.
In 1999, McGinnis and composer, pianist, accordionist Tom Aldrich formed a band called the four bags. McGinnis and Aldrich had played together in high school. Beside McGinnis and Aldrich, the group had Brian Drye on trombone and Sean Moran on guitar. In the four bags McGinnis started to play clarinet more often and this also led to his beginning to play the bass clarinet. The four bags have made three recordings for the NCM East label.
He has also recorded in the projects DDYGG and the Morpholinos for NCM East.
Other groups McGinnis has performed with are the Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow
Sextet, Steve Coleman
's Aquarius Ingress and the Lonnie Plaxico
Group.
McGinnis is a member of the group ok|ok with vocalist Kyoko Kitamura
and guitarist/ukelele-ist Khabu Young
Biography
He began playing the alto saxophone at age ten in his middle school band but it was not until the age of 14 when he started studying with saxophonist/mouthpiece maker/repairman Bill Street (the father of bassist Ben StreetBen Street
Ben Street is a New York-area jazz double bassist. He has played with many great jazz artists, notably Kurt Rosenwinkel on the album Next Step, Ben Monder on the album Dust and Sam Rivers on the album Violet Violets...
) that he devoted himself to playing the saxophone. After high school he attended the University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a multi-campus public urban comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston...
where he focused more on classical saxophone and then the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
where he was able to study with Michael Cain
Michael Cain
Michael Cain is a pianist and composer.- Biography :Michael Cain first started playing the piano at the age of four and was quickly improvising and composing...
and Ralph Alessi
Ralph Alessi
Ralph Alessi is a jazz trumpeter and composer originally from San Rafael, California, probably better known for being a member of bands led by saxophonist Steve Coleman...
. Also at Eastman during this time were many musicians who are creating some the most vibrant music today like Shane Endsley & Kneebody, Jerseyband, So Percussion
So Percussion
So Percussion is an American percussion quartet based in New York City.Composed of Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, Jason Treuting, and Eric Beach, the group is well known for recording and touring internationally and for its work with composers such as Steve Reich, David Lang, Paul Lansky, Martin...
, Anna Dagmar, Eric Biondo, Jeff Hermanson. Mike has lived in New York City since 1997.
His first group was called Between Green and featured all of Mike's original music. The other members were Shane Endsley - trumpet, Jacob Sacks - piano, Dave Ambrosio - bass, Mark Dodge - drums. They recorded one CD titled "Tangents" for Ravi Coltrane
Ravi Coltrane
Ravi Coltrane is an American post-bop jazz saxophonist. Co-owner of the record label RKM Music, he has produced artists such as pianist Luis Perdomo , guitarist David Gilmore and trumpeter Ralph Alessi....
's label RKM Music. It was released in 2000.
In 1999, McGinnis and composer, pianist, accordionist Tom Aldrich formed a band called the four bags. McGinnis and Aldrich had played together in high school. Beside McGinnis and Aldrich, the group had Brian Drye on trombone and Sean Moran on guitar. In the four bags McGinnis started to play clarinet more often and this also led to his beginning to play the bass clarinet. The four bags have made three recordings for the NCM East label.
He has also recorded in the projects DDYGG and the Morpholinos for NCM East.
Other groups McGinnis has performed with are the Ohad Talmor/Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow is a jazz double bass and bass guitarist and composer born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.One of the leading bassists in jazz, Swallow is noted for collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton and Carla Bley...
Sextet, Steve Coleman
Steve Coleman
Steve Coleman, born , is an African American saxophone player, spontaneous composer, composer and band leader. His music and concepts have been a heavy influence on contemporary jazz.-Chicago:...
's Aquarius Ingress and the Lonnie Plaxico
Lonnie Plaxico
Lonnie Plaxico is an African American jazz bassist.Plaxico was born in Chicago, Illinois into a musical family, and started playing the bass at the age of twelve, turning professional at fourteen...
Group.
McGinnis is a member of the group ok|ok with vocalist Kyoko Kitamura
Kyoko Kitamura
Kyoko Kitamura is a musician residing in New York City, who combines different forms of vocal improvisation with real-time vocal processing using a laptop.-Background:Kitamura was born in New York City and raised partially in Tokyo...
and guitarist/ukelele-ist Khabu Young