Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael began playing the trombone at age 10 and developed his early musical skills playing with local bands, one of which included Charles "Charlie" Wilson of the GAP Band. In the 70's, Michael performed with and sharpened his vocal skills with "Vesta" Williams, in a local band called, "Twenty-First Century Flash."
Performing and recording with some of the music business' best talents and pioneers in the 80's, Michael's smooth and melodic trombone-playing soon caught the eye of Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner, of the "Ohio Players" and subsequently Roger Troutman of "Zapp Featuring Roger". As a professional musician in the 70's with these two Ohio-based bands, Michael performed and toured with well-known acts such as Cameo, New Edition, The GAP Band, Midnight Star, Kool and the Gang, Slave, BT Express, and Confunkshun. Michael learned from these Old School musical styles and gifted musicians of the 70's - 80's music era.
Michael's soulful trombone playing and vocal styles can be found on the Ohio Player's album, "Ouch". His musical skills and performance credits are documented on the albums of "Zapp Featuring Roger", "Zapp III", "Roger II", and the debut albums of "Bobby Glover", "New Horizons" and "Shirley Murdock".
With the track record and experience gained from his association with some of Black America's best recording artists, Michael is currently marketing his talents as a songwriter. More background information and samples of his music may be acquired by navigating to the MiJen Productions web site at: http://www.mijenproductions.com/.
