Born: August 6, 1976 Primary Instrument: Trombone
Trombonist and composer Mike Fahie has been active performing and writing music in New York for 10 years. Mike has performed around the globe as a member of different professional ensembles, including tours of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as gigs in Holland, Germany, France, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia.
Mike plays regularly with both established and emerging artists, including Darcy James Argue’s “Secret Society”, the Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, John McNeil, the Paul Carlon Octet, Rob Mosher’s Storytime and the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York. Mike can be heard every Monday night at the Brooklyn jazz club Puppets. Mike also plays on the Broadway shows “In the Heights” and “Ragtime”.
Mike’s debut album as a leader, Anima, will soon be released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground records. The album features jazz greats Bill McHenry, Ben Monder, Ben Street and Billy Hart.
A native of Ottawa, Canada, Mike began his professional career in Montreal, and toured across Canada, playing with a cross-section of Canadian jazz greats. In particular, Mike spent several years playing and touring throughout North America with the great Canadian vocalist Ranee Lee. Mike also spent six months in Vancouver playing the show “Forever Swing” with Michael Buble and Gary Guthman.
In September 2000, Mike followed in the footsteps of the great jazz musicians and moved to New York City. He pursued his Master’s Degree at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM), where he was the first ever Candian Fulbright Scholar in the field of Jazz. At MSM, he began long-term collaborations with other up-and-coming jazz musicians in New York, including Will Vinson, Jason Rigby, Jeff Davis, Ryan Keberle, Scott Dubois and many others.
Shortly after finishing his Master’s Degree, Mike was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trombone Competition. This honor was highlighted by a performance at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., attended by many jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Curtis Fuller.
Mike’s developing passion for composition led him to create the Mike Fahie Jazz Orchestra in 2003, serving as a vehicle to experiment with large ensemble composition, as well as a forum to work with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the city. The MFJO is currently active with both education and performance in New York.
Mike is an active member of the creative music scene in New York, and performs with many great jazz musicians. The many musicians that Mike has worked with in New York include Maria Schneider, Ingrid Jensen, Donny McCaslin, Jon Cowherd,Ken Peplowski, Loren Stillman, and Alan Ferber.
In 2007, Mike took part in a residency at the Ottawa Jazz Festival with the Ottawa Jazz Composers Collective. The residency included a week of rehearsals and masterclasses, and culminated in a concert at the 4th stage of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, which was subequently broadcast on the CBC.
Mike has continued to develop as a composer and arranger, and has been writing commissioned works for several years, for both small groups and larger ensembles. He has developed a library of works for high-school level jazz band, as well as small ensemble jazz groups. The United States Military Academy’s Jazz Knights performed and recorded the world debut of his work “The Monster Brooks No Pretense”.
Mike has also been extremely active in the educational field. He has been on the faculty of the United Nations International School since 2002, leading the jazz band and teaching private lessons. He is also on the faculty of the New York Jazz Academy. He has given workshops on improvisation, arranging and composition at several colleges, and he is in demand as a private jazz instructor.
“Mike Fahie's debut CD... features an explosive and exploratory ensemble. ... There is so much to enjoy on this program, starting with the impressive original compositions and intelligent arrangements. ... After hearing Mike Fahie as a member of trombone sections on several fine recordings, it's such a treat to hear his music and playing on “Anima”. This is the sort of program that just gets better with each listen.” Richard B. Kamins http://steptempest.blogspot.com/2010...ages-soul.html
”A delightfully hard to pin down eclectic album, there’s something here for the pickiest contemporary jazzbo as well as the casual groover just looking for some new kicks. Highly creative throughout, the sure footed playing is sure to make a positive impression no matter what your jazz stripe. Check it out.” Chris Spector Midwest Record
Primary Instrument:
Trombone
Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
8 years teaching private lessons, jazz & wind ensembles at the United Nations International School
Faculty member, New York Jazz Academy
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Improv clinic for college level students, focusing on practice techniques to increase vocabulary and ease of execution.
Composition clinic for college level students, focusing on use of space, repetition, writing & harmonizing melodies, and formal concepets.
