Born: April 19, 1951 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Jazz/blues guitarist Mike Armando was born and grew up in Brooklyn & Woodhaven Queens, NY. He Attended Franklin K. Lane High School. In the early years Mike joined the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War. He served his country for 4 years and still perfomed when he had time. Times were tough but he still kept playing his music. He Played many years with Screamin Jay Hawkins band. At present his new group is called “In the Moment''
He was the guitarist for the late Screamin Jay Hawkins for three fun years while on tour. One of Mike's recording's,” Half Stepin” on the mja Record label, a jazz/blues recording was rated one of the top ten records on radio play list in Bill Board Magazine. Mike has recorded with drumming great Bob Moses. He has performed on radio and tv stations across the country. WOWI Radio music director Larry Dinger, Norfolk, Va. held many events at the station were Mike performed live. Mike has performed live events at WPKN, Jazz Advantures with radio host Phil Bowler in Bridgeport, CT. Mike Armando recordings on the mja Record label have been played throughout the USA and in Europe.
Mike has produced a number of jazz concerts with vocalist Nancy Monroe at the Blue Note in NYC and at the Event Center in Lake Grove LI along with jazz guitarist Dave Stryker hosted by WPKN Radio Jazz Adventure MC Phil Bowler.
Mike Armando has produced 13 CDs on the mja label with such artists as Grammy award winner Fred Lipsius, from Blood Sweet & Tears, Nancy Monroe, David Allan Gross, Chris Clark. Pat Morrissey, Artt Frank. One of the tracks from Fred Lipsius, mja release “Better Believe It” CD was released and distributed throughout the world on MCA Records. mja recording artist, Artt Frank who was the drummer for the late great Chet Baker was inducted into the Oklahama Jazz Hall of Fame on November 16, 2010. Mike Armando was the producer for all three of Artt's CD's.
Mike has worked with other great musician's in his recording and musical career with the likes of Eddie Gomez, Marcus McLaurine, Michael Cochrane, Mike Stern & Bob Moses who recorded on the mja release with David Alan Gross “The Final Answer to Everything”. Mike currently has his own group called, “In The Moment” the group performs Jazz / Blues/ and fusion. For information on that group and for booking email at mjajazz@optonline.net
Awards:
MICHAEL ARMANDO, President & CEO of MJA Records, has recorded many fine jazz and blues artists for the MJA label. And over the years, has been instrumental in launching the recording careers of young musicians deserving of wider recognition. What comes to mind when thinking of MJA is Chet Baker’s closest friend, legendary Be Bop drummer, Artt Frank who performed with the great lyrical trumpet icon on and off for many years. Michael, a jazz/blues guitarist himself, first formed the MJA Record label back in 1973, and was one of the first artists to record for the new company. Mike was born in New York City and has paid his dues many times over. He has always loved jazz and blues music because “it comes straight from the soul-and the soul is from God.” Music is his life, and he thanks God for the opportunity of being able to help other musicians to express themselves through this music called Be Bop and lyrical jazz. Mike has produced many jazz concerts for MJA Records including the MJA Jazz & Blues Festival in which Artt Frank’s quintet was the featured group. “I am deeply proud to be included on the prestigious Honorary Director’s list of the Chet Baker Foundation, and to be a part of the music of Chet Baker and Artt Frank.”The term, 'In The Moment' is most generally applied to a bop/jazz musician, or group of muscians who are playing something that is totally new, spontaneous and unique so that all one can say is that it is, “In The Moment,” Which ironaically, is exactly what can be said about this particular group of musicians, even though the music is not all 'straight ahead', the musicians do nonetheless, play with a lot of heart and rhythm and make it all swing. The music is Blues, Funk, Rock and jazz, so the listener gets the chance to hear a lot of differen kinds of rhythm, time and beats. The musicians, Mike Armando, guitar, plays the blues as though he was born with them. I like his ideas, his lines, his chord changes and his time. I am also impressed with bassist Andy Golba's bass lines, rhythm and solid time. He doesn't waver and has a big fat sound, which as a long time drummer, is a prime requirement of mine. I've just got to have that strong tone and time behind me, otherwiise, its like trying to cook with cold grease.
As for drummer, Bob Moses...what can I say about him that has not already been said. He's a great drummer and has been around the block. I've always liked Bob's drumming and his ideas. He can play in just about any type of venue and make the music happen, which is precisely what he has done here on this CD. Great job guys. CD review written by Artt Frank former longtime drummer with Chet Baker and Hall of Famer Drummer (arttfrank.com)
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
