Michael H.

Guitar, Online

Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, Michael picked up the guitar at age 11, inspired by the classic rock and metal guitarists he heard in the music being played around the house. By age twelve he was already playing his first professional gigs in a local band, and after spending a summer in high school in Wayne State University’s high school jazz program (featuring the tutelage of jazz giants such as the late great Joey DeFrancesco and Theo Croker), his interest in jazz and improvisation began.

This lead him to Chicago, where he pursued a B.M. in Jazz Studies at Columbia College Chicago. His time at Columbia enabled him to work with (and ultimately perform with) forefront modern jazz musicians such as Kendrick Scott, Donny McCaslin, Jon Irabagon, and Cory Henry, as well as pop/rock musicians like Bernard Purdie and Cassandra O’Neal. On top of this, Michael spent three years as a tutor in the guitar department.

Wanting to take his playing to the next level, Michael made the move to New York City, earning a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the Manhattan School of Music. Here he was able to study under Mike Moreno, Jaleel Shaw, Miguel Zenon, and more. Already in the short time he’s been in the city, Michael has been highly sought after in both jazz and pop/rock recording sessions, and his quintet was recently selected as a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival Collegiate Combo Competition.