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Michael Monford
Born Michael Jerome Monford on June 9, 1973 in Detroit, MI. Michael's musical interest began at the tender age of 4 years old. This continued throughout his early childhood and into his teen years as he began to absorb Hip- Hop culture. He also studied voice and singing while attending St. Martin De Porres High School.

Studying privately with jazz legend Teddy Harris, Jr., Michael's new hangouts were the history jazz clubs of: Bomacs Lounge, Bert's Market Place, The Bluebird and Baker's Keyboard Lounge. There he was mentored by resident masters, Ken Cox, George Goldsmith, George Davidson, Marcus Belgrave, Donald Walden, Phil Lasley and Teddy Harris, Jr. After graduating in 1992, he studied with master saxophonist Phil Lasley and also turned to his peers Dwight Adams, Cassius Richmond, Karriem Riggens, Rodney Whittaker and James Carter.

In 1997, Michael was awarded a musical scholarship from the Society of the Culturally Concerned (formally known as the Bluebird Reunion, based out of Detroit), as well as, a musical scholarship to the University of Hartford Hart School of Music. There he studied with jazz great and master saxophonist Jackie McLean.

While studying at the Hart School Conservatory, Michael traveled to New York, where he was hired by bassist Bill Lee, pianist Marc Cary, pianist Alan J. Palmer,trumpeter Raymond Williams, and bassist Hakim Jami. Not only did he get the opportunity to perform with these legendary musicians, he recorded with them as well.

Armed with his experiences as a performer, composer and arranger, Michael Monford released his debut CD as a leader in 2010. The CD is entitled "Perserverance" and it features Grammy Award winning pianist Marc Cary on piano, Tarus Mateen on bass, and Steve Williamson on drums. He is currently recording his sophomore CD entitled "The cloth I'm cut from", scheduled to be released Spring 2014, he is touring with the national play- My Brother Marvin, written by Zeola Gaye.