Mike started playing the trombone aged 12 (when his arms were long enough to use the slide!) and taught himself. Since then he has become one of the UK’s leading session trombonists, and a nationally acknowledged trombonist and brass specialist.
Mike is a musical arranger, tutor, writer & performer, and he brings an enormous talent to his compositions and arrangements, not only as a trombone player, but as a hugely experienced musician at the very highest level.
As a performer, Mike is highly versatile, and has performed and recorded with a great many prestigious bands and orchestras, including; The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Jools Holland Band, N.Y.J.O., Echoes of Ellington Jazz Orchestra, Sadler Wells Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Radio Orchestra, and The Birmingham Royal Ballet Orchestra.
Mike has worked and recorded with some of the great names in show business; Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey, Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Vic Damone, The Late Roy Castle, Jack Jones, Boy George, Pet Shop Boys, Kula Shaker, David Grant, Darius, Ben Castle and Acker Bilk.
He has numerous TV credits to his name, appearing on shows as diverse as TFI Friday, A Song for Europe, MTV and even the Budweiser adverts. He has played in the Children in Need Studio Orchestra, was Musical Director for the UK’s Song for Europe entry, and played many theatre shows including Jesus Christ Superstar and Chicago, as well as on TV in Vera Drake, To the Manor Born, Miss Marple, The Steve Coogan Show, Shooting Stars and many many more.
Mike has been associated with Holton Instruments; now Leblanc Corp and endorsed their Martin “Urbie Green” model trombone, and has developed a signature model trombone in conjunction with instrument manufacturer London Musical Instruments.