Mike Sailors: Trumpet

jazz band for hire in nyc

NYC Jazz Trumpeter, bandleader, composer and arranger Michael Sailors, originally from Charleston S.C., has toured the U.S., Europe and Japan playing concert halls, jazz festivals and private engagements. He began his advanced musical training in 2001 at the University of North Carolina @ Greensboro under the tutelage of bassist and composer Steve Haines. As a Junior, he was selected as one of five finalists in the National Jazz Trumpet Competition to perform in Washington, D.C for a panel of guest artists. That same year he was commissioned to arrange a work for Jazz Orchestra for the late great Dewey Redman for a performance at the North American Saxophone Alliance conference. This commission was the beginning of a Sailors’ love and dedication towards composition.

After completing his degree in 2005, Sailors continued to work regionally in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia and was asked to join the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. He also completed contracts for Regent Cruise lines. playing lead trumpet in the boats swing bands. After his short tour of the Mediterranean aboard the Seven Seas Navigator, Sailors decided to go back to school to obtain a Master’s Degree at Michigan State University, where he was awarded a full scholarship to study with jazz lumanries Rodney Whitaker, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Derreck Gardner, Diego Rivera, Andrew Hayward, and Rick Roe. After completing his degree in 2009, he went on to work with jazz greats Gerald Wilson, Jon Faddis, Tia Fuller, Vincent Chandler, Jon Hendricks, Steve Lippia, McCoy Tyner, and was hired by Mack Avenue records in Detroit, MI to serve as lead arranger and musical director of “The Donald Byrd Project” featuring Sean Jones, which was premiered at the Detroit International Jazz Festival.

After completing a Doctoral degree in Composition from the University of Texas in 2012, Sailors moved to New York and quickly became an in-demand artist in the thriving swing music scene. He’s appeared at many of the cities most popular swing venues as well as many private events up and down the east coast and keeps a busy schedule freelancing with NYC’s most in-demand bands, as well as with the Lowdown Stompers.

For more information, check out www.mikesailorsmusic.com