The Journey of a Session Musician: From Jazz Appreciator to Studio Legend

🎹Michael grew up appreciating jazz music, particularly the works of Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.

🎶He received classical piano lessons but was discouraged from improvising, which led him to focus more on appreciating jazz rather than playing it.

🎸The British Invasion in the music industry, particularly the Beatles, sparked Michael's interest in pop music and motivated him to pursue a career in the music industry in LA.

🎹Michael faced challenges when starting his career as a session musician, but through perseverance and dedication, he found success and became one of the most sought-after piano players in LA.

💼Session musicians have to be versatile and adaptable, often improvising and creating their own parts in the studio.

What motivated Michael to pursue a career in the music industry?

—The British Invasion of music, particularly the Beatles, sparked his interest in pop music and inspired him to pursue a career in the music industry in Los Angeles.

Did Michael receive formal jazz training?

—Although he appreciated jazz music, Michael did not receive formal jazz training. Instead, he focused on appreciating the genre and listening to jazz greats like Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.

What challenges did Michael face as a session musician?

—As a session musician, Michael faced challenges such as unexpected changes in song arrangements and having to quickly adapt and create his own parts on the spot. He also had to navigate the competitive nature of the industry.

How did Michael become a sought-after session pianist and producer?

—Through perseverance, dedication, and consistently delivering high-quality performances, Michael built a reputation as a talented session musician. His skills and versatility allowed him to work with top artists and producers, leading to his success and demand in the industry.

What qualities and skills are essential for a session musician?

—Session musicians need to be versatile, adaptable, and skilled at improvisation. They should also have a strong understanding of various musical styles and an ability to create their own parts that enhance the overall sound of the recording.

00:00Michael shares his background as a jazz appreciator and talks about artists like Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum who influenced him.

03:59He discusses his classical piano lessons and how his piano teacher discouraged improvisation.

08:24Michael shares his motivation to pursue a career in the music industry after being inspired by the British Invasion and artists like the Beatles.

12:59He talks about the challenges he faced when starting his career as a session musician and how he worked hard to establish himself in the industry.

14:40Michael discusses the qualities and skills that are important for a session musician, including versatility and creativity.