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ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards 2004/2005
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28, Astoria, NY
Bassist/Composer Michael Blanco, a native of San Diego, California, has been active on the New York City music scene since January 2000. Prior to moving to New York, Michael graduated from the acclaimed Jazz Studies program at the University of North Texas, where in addition to playing in the One O'clock Lab Band, he studied with classical double bass virtuoso Jeff Bradetich.
Since moving to New York, Michael has been involved in a wide variety of musical projects, including playing in Marsalis Music recording artist Doug Wamble's band, the Bob Reynolds Quartet, and the alternative jazz band Overground (featuring singer-songwriter Zack Hexum). Michael also fronts a jazz quintet that performs his original compositions.
The Michael Blanco Quintet's debut CD features Rich Perry on tenor saxophone, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Alan Ferber on trombone, and Bill Campbell on drums, and will be released in 2005. Michael can also be heard on the Bob Reynolds Quartet CD "Live At The Jazz Corner", and the Overground CD "What Happens Now", which features two of his original songs.
Additionally, Michael performs on Broadway, subbing in the orchestras of the Tony Award-winning musicals Wicked, Avenue Q and Wonderful Town. He has contributed to the Broadway drama Sixteen Wounded, the original soundtrack to the Manhattan Theater Club drama Fiction, and the Avenue Q CD single, "Rod's Dilemma".
In 2001, Michael was selected by the Kennedy Center for the Arts and the Department of State to represent the United States as a Jazz Ambassador. He toured South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, as part of a trio led by Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra/Wynton Marsalis Septet pianist, Richard Doron Johnson.
Michael's compositions and arrangements have been featured in the International Fringe Festival, the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids Benefit Concert "Nothing Like A Dame", and Paul Newman's "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" Benefit Gala.
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