Artist Info: Michael Bates

Michael grew up in Canada and often worked at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Even though he was exposed to musicians such as Sun Ra, Thomas Chapin and Dave Holland, he began playing music in hardcore and punk rock bands and maintains that being a creative jazz musician is no different: “The music I write and perform is rooted in the jazz tradition, but punk’s ‘Do It Yourself’ ethos has stuck with me. As a jazz musician I take a decidedly punk rock attitude to things.” [read more...]