Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Michael has been in music practically his entire life. He started playing piano before his feet could reach the pedals.
Although Michael has worked with over 520 artists thus far, he is best known as Michael Jackson‘s final music director. Also, Michael has been creating with Lady Gaga as her MD since 2013. Most recently, The Academy named Michael the music director for the 97th Oscars, to take place on March 2, 2025!
The Television Academy twice nominates Michael. Once for the 69th Emmy Awards in the ‘Outstanding Music Direction‘ category for the Pepsi Halftime Superbowl LI performance featuring Lady Gaga. It was the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance in history! Most recently in the same category for One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. Which aired on CBS.
Immediately after the Super Bowl, Gaga asked Michael to help create ALL her forthcoming events. Those included Coachella (Gaga was subbing for a pregnant Beyonce’), a Tudor watch campaign (directed by Mark Romanek), The American Music Awards, The Grammys, and the highly successful Joanne World Tour. Michael also performed with Bradley Cooper in the newly released film ‘A Star Is Born.’ The successful Cooper-directed reboot of the classic movie starring Lady Gaga.
Michael also helped create two successful residencies in Las Vegas for multi-talented Gaga! Enigma, and her Jazz & Piano show!
Michael has scored a documentary series for Netflix and a feature film for Heart Beat Productions. Kevin Hart‘s company. He’s also slated to score an animated series and an upcoming feature for the animation company Lion Forge.
Michael led an all-star country music tribute to Ray Charles at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. It aired on all PBS networks.
Michael also directed the music for a Hocus Pocus Halloween special that aired on ABC Networks in October 2018. Kenny Ortega and Michael Levitt executive produced the special.
In 2017, Michael helped recreate over 30 Motown songs for the upcoming Netflix animated series Motown Magic. The producers were so impressed with Michael that they asked him to play a recurring character (Doc Ellington) in the series.
Michael performed in the Orchestra at the 89th Oscars. He will do so again for the 90th Oscars, his third year in a row. It again features host Jimmy Kimmel, who Michael had worked with at the Emmys.
In Michael’s arsenal of solid skill sets is the ability to lead and direct music for “live” television. A valuable skill only a few music directors share. Michael has conducted and co-md the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on ABC—a position he has held for multiple Emmys broadcasts since 2009. Jimmy Kimmel was the host for the evening.
In June 2016, Michael was the music director for the Kennedy Center’s annual spring gala honoring the great Marvin Gaye. Whoopie Goldberg hosted the event, which featured artists such as Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Andra Day, Leslie Odom Jr. from the Broadway smash Hamilton, Jussie Smollett from the TV hit show Empire, Motown legend Valerie Simpson, newcomer BJ The Chicago Kid, Baby Face, and vocalist extraordinaire Ledisi. The evening was a resounding success!
Michael MD’ed the Many Rivers Festival just outside of Atlanta: a debut 2-day social justice & arts festival launched by legendary icon Harry Belafonte. Mr. Belafonte handpicked Michael to head the final night main stage event. It featured artists such as John Legend, Common, Alice Smith, Aloe Blacc, Siedah Garrett, Maxwell, Goapele, Mali Music, and more.
Earlier in 2016, Michael played keyboards, arranged and assisted conducting for the 88th Oscars hosted by Chris Rock.
In December 2015, Michael was the Music Director & Producer for Empire stars Taraji and Terrence’s ‘White Hot Holidays’ special for the FOX Network.
That same year, the Maestro also conducted and was co-music director for the 2015 67th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Michael composed for and conducted a 40+ piece orchestra at Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’s request for a private event in Palm Springs. It featured over 100 drones from Intel choreographed to the orchestra. The event was a resounding success and impressed the Amazon founder, who commissioned Michael’s works.
Michael volunteered at Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation Academy Boot Camp, enriching the lives of foster children interested in the music business.
Michael was the music director and conductor for the first annual 2015 Lincoln Awards at the Kennedy Center, which honored our nation’s veterans and their families.
Michael can be seen performing on the recently released AXS TV concert, ‘One More For The Fans’, celebrating the music of the iconic band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Michael performed in the main house band at the 2015 MusiCares event, which honored the legendary Bob Dylan. Other performing artists included Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Jones, and Emmy Lou Harris.
Michael also performed at the 2018 MusiCares celebration of Fleetwood Mac at Radio City in NYC. The show featured many artists, including Mylie Cyrus, Little Big Town, Haim, Lourde, Alison Krause, and Keith Urban.
Michael contributed his talents to the 2013 MusiCares tribute to Bruce Springsteen. Some of the show’s artists included John Legend, Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, Jackson Browne, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Juanes, Tom Morello, Mavis Staples, Zack Brown, Patti Smith, and Bruce himself. The concert can be seen in its entirety on HD Net.
Michael arranged, conducted, and co-produced five songs with a full orchestra for the one and only Neil Young on his studio recording, Storeytone. The album was recorded live in complete performance by the great Al Schmitt at the Sony Soundstage. When Michael left the podium, his part of the record was full—no mixing required!
Michael was co-music director and conducted the 66th Prime Time Emmy Awards on NBC. The telecast had its highest ratings in several years!
Michael was music director and conductor for the Songwriters Hall of Fame 2014. The late great, multiple Grammy Award winner Phil Ramone annually produced the NYC gala, and Michael was often a favorite of his for use in his various productions.
2013, as mentioned above, Lady Gaga asked Michael to become her music director. Among his first assignments were MTV’s 2013 VMA’s at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, iTunes Festival in London, The Tube Festival and Saturday Night Live in New York City, The Voice in Los Angeles, SXSW in Austin, Texas, and a run of seven sold-out shows at New York’s famous Roseland Ballroom to name just a few. Her shows would be the final shows ever at the prestigious venue. Along with Lady Gaga and Richy Jackson, he co-created and provided musical direction for her sold-out world tour artRAVE The ARTPOP Ball, performing to monster audiences worldwide.
Michael was the music director for the red carpet event and Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious 6 premiere. At the request of Mike Knobloch, Universal’s President of film, music, and publishing, Michael helped organize the show, which featured Wiz Khalifa, Two Chains, and Ludacris. The concert was held at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles.
Michael has been involved in countless record productions, including recently executive producing a new effort entitled ‘Legend’ from hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte; creating a record for the China Voice winner Bruce Liang; producing and co-writing a new project featuring guitarists Orianthi and Richie Sambora; and overseeing an upcoming conscious/uplift humanity project with involvement from legendary rapper Talib Kweli and writer/activist Kevin Powell. He has also been working on several new productions for up-and-coming artists.
Michael was asked by Dwayne Wade’s ‘Wayne’s World’ foundation to be its ambassador of music for the Chicago-based charity organization—Michael’s hometown.
Michael was the music director/producer on the CW Network show Oh Sit! The show aired for 10 weeks starting April 15, 2013.
Michael was also the music director and conductor for Lady Gaga’s appearance at the President’s Official Ball during Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2013. Michael and the first lady (Michelle Obama) have been friends since childhood, so it was a natural fit. Mainly having performed at President Obama’s first inauguration concert, ‘We Are One,’ on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Both events were historic and resounding successes!
In demand, Michael was asked by renowned producer Don Was (Phil Ramone recommended Michael to Don because he thought the combination would be great) to work on an event in New Orleans. It was a surprise birthday party for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The concert included legends Dr. John, Chrissy Hynde, Greg Allman, and Joe Walsh. Michael has worked with Don on many live event concerts since then, including an upcoming tribute to Willie Nelson shooting in late 2015.
Michael is also the music director, pianist, and conductor of a PBS special by Ken Ehrlich and AEG for new talent Chris Mann. Ron Fair, the CCO / EVP of Virgin Records, asked Michael to help put the show together, and Michael delivered, even though he had limited time. The show has received rave reviews.
In December 2012, Michael performed as principal keyboardist and contributing MD at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Legends Buddy Guy and Led Zeppelin. In 2013, in tribute to Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, and his mentor, Herbie Hancock, Michael held this position for 12 annual Honors Telecasts from 2002 to 2014.
In the fall of 2012, Michael was the co-music director and conductor for the 64th Prime Time Emmy Awards.
Michael served the whole run as Music Director and music producer for George Lopez’s Lopez Tonight on TBS nightly.
Michael was the Music Director, Supervisor, Composer, and Associate Producer of the Sony film This Is It about Michael Jackson’s final tour rehearsals.
Michael has performed and/or recorded with many popular musics giants such as Sting, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Chaka Kahn, Patti Austin, James Ingrahm, Patti Labelle, George Benson, Yossou NDour, Boz Scaggs, Lenny Kravitz, Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack, Shania Twain, Issac Hayes, Aaron Neville, MC Lyte, Cyndi Lauper, and legends Nancy Wilson, Queen, David Crosby, Stevie Wonder, John Fogerty, Liza Minelli, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and music director for many including Madonna, Rod Stewart and the greatest ever, Michael Jackson! To name a few.
His diverse musical skills have also been sought by a later generation of artists, including Christina Aguilera, Arianna Grande, Ari Lennox, Ricky Martin, Destinys Child, Brandy, India Arie, Fantasia, Chrisette Michele, Ashanti, John Mayer, Faith Evans, Brian McKnight, Anastacia, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly Furtado, Mya, Joss Stone, Usher, Keisha Cole, Angie Stone and served as music director for Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, Lady Gaga, D’Angelo, among others.
He has also written, produced, and performed with such notable jazz artists as Rachelle Ferrell, Herbie Mann, Terrance Blanchard, Marcus Miller, Everette Harp, Will Downing, Nelson Rangell, Marion Meadows, Regina Carter, Noel Pointer, Special EFX, Pieces Of A Dream, Jonathan Butler, Quincy Jones, performed and collaborated with his childhood hero and mentor Herbie Hancock on Hancock’s Grammy-nominated album Possibilities.
An accomplished composer, Michael’s feature film scores include, as stated earlier, Sony Pictures’ 2009 Film/Doc about Michael Jackson’s final rehearsals This Is It, Drop Squad produced by Spike Lee (starring Eriq Lasalle and Ving Rhames) and the indie film The Visit directed by Jordan Walker Pearlman (starring Rae Dawn Chong and Billy Dee Williams). Michael scored several debut indie features, April Apocalypse, for filmmakers The Tarnol Brothers and One Week for director Carl Seaton. In addition, Michael scored the feature Constellation (starring Gabrielle Union, Leslie Ann Warren, and Billy Dee Williams) and the feature film/doc America The Beautiful and Sundance film/doc American Blackout. He will be scoring two feature films in 2019, actor Michael Jai White’s The Outlaw Johnny Black and a Viola Davis-produced film, Hanging By A Thread. Both are now in preproduction.
Michael held the principal pianist/keyboard position on two Cosby television show bands. He was frequently contracted by bandleader Paul Shaffer (Late Show with David Letterman) as the lead substitute for the CBS broadcast. Michael has performed as a pianist and conductor on countless major television specials, talk shows, and award shows, including The Academy Awards! Best known as The Oscars. He also served as the principal keyboardist on many feature films, including popular films by director John Singelton entitled Four Brothers, Shaft, and Baby Boy.
Michael served multiple years on the Board Of Governors and Trustees of The Recording Academy LA Chapter.
Michael also serves as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for The United Nations.
AFFILIATIONS
The Recording Academy (Board Of Trustees Los Angeles Chapter)
The United Nations (Global Goodwill Ambassador)
ASCAP
Harry Fox
Sound Exchange
Yes We Code
#Cut50.org (for prison reform)
Wade’s World
Little Kids Rock
Compound Foundation Music Academy Boot Camp
Education Through Music LA
Believe Foundation
LASAE
Manna Food Bank
Hope Valley Mission
American Federation Of Musicians Local 47
MDG Committee – United Nations
The Jack Brewer Foundation
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Howard University Alumni
