As a composer, arranger, producer Mike has established a prolific career
working in many mediums including television, motion pictures, radio, live
concerts and audio recordings. He has scored over 40 films for PBS. Additional
commercial clients include Exxon, McDonald’s, Blue Cross, McDonald's and many more.
Mike has also worked closely with 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar nominated film
composer Terence Blanchard on numerous films including “Original Sin”
( Angelina Jolie/Antonio Banderas), “Caveman’s Valentine”(Samuel Jackson),
"People I Know"(Al Pacino).
Mike’s arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl,
Lincoln Center and by orchestras including the Prague Symphony Orchestra,
London Studio Orchestra, Seattle Studio Orchestra, the Grammy award winning New Orleans
Jazz Orchestra(NOJO) as well as numerous others. Mike's arrangements have featured many notable artists
including Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Jose Feliciano, Jill Scott, Samara Joy, Alex Isley, NAS, Cyrille Aimee, China Moses, Mary Mary,
The Clarke Sisters, Kurt Elling, Le'Andria Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Quiana Lynell, Neena Freelorn, Dianne Reeves,
Allen Touissant, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Lou Rawls, Haley Rienhart, Zachary Richard, Terence Blanchard and many others.
Mike received a 2020 Grammy certificate for his orchestral arrangements and conducting which were
part of the 2020 Grammy winning "Best Gospel Album "Gospel According to PJ" by PJ Morton.
He has received numerous awards as a composer including a Henry Mancini Fellowship
and a 2008 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for composition. In addition, he received
a 2008 Emmy award for his score to “Atchafalaya Houseboat" as well as a 2017 Emmy for
his score to the film "Deeply Rooted". Mike's music has been used on programs/networks
such as NCIS:New Orleans, American Idol, FOX Sports, NFL 360, Comedy Central, Lifetime
Channel, Netflix, Bravo, etc.
working in many mediums including television, motion pictures, radio, live
concerts and audio recordings. He has scored over 40 films for PBS. Additional
commercial clients include Exxon, McDonald’s, Blue Cross, McDonald's and many more.
Mike has also worked closely with 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar nominated film
composer Terence Blanchard on numerous films including “Original Sin”
( Angelina Jolie/Antonio Banderas), “Caveman’s Valentine”(Samuel Jackson),
"People I Know"(Al Pacino).
Mike’s arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl,
Lincoln Center and by orchestras including the Prague Symphony Orchestra,
London Studio Orchestra, Seattle Studio Orchestra, the Grammy award winning New Orleans
Jazz Orchestra(NOJO) as well as numerous others. Mike's arrangements have featured many notable artists
including Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Jose Feliciano, Jill Scott, Samara Joy, Alex Isley, NAS, Cyrille Aimee, China Moses, Mary Mary,
The Clarke Sisters, Kurt Elling, Le'Andria Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Quiana Lynell, Neena Freelorn, Dianne Reeves,
Allen Touissant, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Lou Rawls, Haley Rienhart, Zachary Richard, Terence Blanchard and many others.
Mike received a 2020 Grammy certificate for his orchestral arrangements and conducting which were
part of the 2020 Grammy winning "Best Gospel Album "Gospel According to PJ" by PJ Morton.
He has received numerous awards as a composer including a Henry Mancini Fellowship
and a 2008 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for composition. In addition, he received
a 2008 Emmy award for his score to “Atchafalaya Houseboat" as well as a 2017 Emmy for
his score to the film "Deeply Rooted". Mike's music has been used on programs/networks
such as NCIS:New Orleans, American Idol, FOX Sports, NFL 360, Comedy Central, Lifetime
Channel, Netflix, Bravo, etc.
As a pianist/keyboardist, Mike has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Wynton Marsalis,
Don Vappie, Terence Blanchard, Peter Erskine, Nicholas Payton, Frank Morgan, Brian Blade,
Kurt Elling, Vanessa Rubin, Irma Thomas, Pete Fountain and many more. He has performed at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and all around the world including festivals in
Canada, Brazil, England, Switzerland, Italy, Virgin Islands, India. etc.
Mike is also very active as a clinician and teacher. In 2023, Mike was received the
Alvin Batiste Hall of Distinction Award for his lifetime contribution and cultivation
of jazz music in the state of Louisiana. In November
2017 he was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Jazz
Educators (LAJE) Hall of Fame.
Mike has given master classes throughout the US and is also an instructor in the East Baton
Rouge Gifted and Talented Program where he has taught since 1998. Within this program Mike focuses on many different areas
of music with very gifted young students including composition, jazz improvisation, arranging and music technology. Mike has
also served as a Professional Artist in Residence at Louisiana State University where he taught jazz piano and improvisation.
Former students of Mike include Jon Batiste (Stephen Cobert Show), Sullivan Fortner
(Roy Hargrove Band), Troy "Trombone Shorty Andrews, and many more.
Alvin Batiste Hall of Distinction Award for his lifetime contribution and cultivation
of jazz music in the state of Louisiana. In November
2017 he was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Jazz
Educators (LAJE) Hall of Fame.
Mike has given master classes throughout the US and is also an instructor in the East Baton
Rouge Gifted and Talented Program where he has taught since 1998. Within this program Mike focuses on many different areas
of music with very gifted young students including composition, jazz improvisation, arranging and music technology. Mike has
also served as a Professional Artist in Residence at Louisiana State University where he taught jazz piano and improvisation.
Former students of Mike include Jon Batiste (Stephen Cobert Show), Sullivan Fortner
(Roy Hargrove Band), Troy "Trombone Shorty Andrews, and many more.
Influential teachers in Mike’s musical development include Alvin Batiste, Dr. Bert Braud, Lawrence
Siebert, Mike Pellera, Dr. Willis Delony and Dr. Bill Grimes and J.R. Miller. He has also studied with many others
including Johnny Mandel, Patrick Williams, John Clayton, Alf Clausen, Dave Grusin and more.
Mike is a Grammy Recording Academy member.
Mike is a Presonus artist. For more information, please visit:
Siebert, Mike Pellera, Dr. Willis Delony and Dr. Bill Grimes and J.R. Miller. He has also studied with many others
including Johnny Mandel, Patrick Williams, John Clayton, Alf Clausen, Dave Grusin and more.
Mike is a Grammy Recording Academy member.
Mike is a Presonus artist. For more information, please visit: