Mike Fortune Biography

Growing up in upstate New York, Mike studied with percussionists Richard Albagli and James Petercsak and drummers John Riley, Ed Shaughnessy, Bob Moses and Frank Marino. He also, during that time, earned a Bachelors of Music Education at the Crane School of Music, has completed graduate course work at Crane School of Music and Queens College. Mike has gone on to perform and record with not only Microtonacity but also other great musicians, many being international jazz luminaries. The list includes Marshall Allen, Shanir Blumenkrantz , Roy Campbell Jr., Daniel Carter, Ty Cumbie, Jorrit Dykstra, Avram K. Fefer, Francois Grillot, Ratzo Harris, Adam Lane, Lukas Ligeti, Ed Littman, Sabir Mateen, Cameron Mizell, Eyal Moaz, Lawrence "Butch" Morris, Ras Moshe, Bern Nix, Rueben Radding, Michael Ray, Reut Regev, Jeffrey H. Shurdut, Sonny Simmons, Blaise Siwula, Travis Sullivan, Luther Thomas, Danny Ray Thompson, Walter Thompson, and scores of other NYC/ world based jazz artist. Mike is also a highly trained and experienced music educator, with ten years experience. He gives private lessons, masterclasses, clinics across New York State and was a counselor at the 1999 KOSA Percussion workshop. Mike has served as band director for both public and private schools all while maintaining a busy performing career. Mike brings a tremendous knowledge of jazz and percussion to ejazzlines.

Mike can be reached at mikefortune@ejazzlines.com