Akron native bassist brings his annual Thanksgiving reunion show to BLU by way of Brooklyn to play with three of Ohio’s premier musical voices! Featuring Mike Forfia, Phillip K Jones II, Chris Coles, Cedric Easton.
Raised in the loving music community of Akron, Ohio, Mike credits his musical voice to an art and music boom born of a “rustbelt” revival, a cultural bloom that has drawn on Akron’s rich music history and diverse talent while blending new influences and global perspectives. Equally at home on upright and electric basses, Mike’s performances draw from a deep love for music of the Laurel Canyon, Brazilian music, musical theater, gospel, and contemporary, traditional, and big band jazz.
Mike was the first-prize winner of the 2015 Scott LaFaro Jazz Bass Competition, finalist in the 2016 Ron Carter jazz bass competition, and winner of the Rayburn Wright Prize at the Eastman School of Music. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Akron and an MM in Jazz Double Bass Performance and the Arts Leadership Certificate at the Eastman School of Music. Upon completing his master’s degree, Mike served in the jazz ministry at “The First Church of Jazz,” Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in New York City as the recipient of the Eastman Arts Leadership Program’s Post-Graduate Internship award, and continues to perform and teach in Brooklyn, New York.
Celebrate with us at BLU Jazz+ for an evening of premier live jazz performed by Akron’s own!