User:Mindingall

A Detroit native started playing the trombone at the age of six. However, by the age of twelve, Michael already in the school band developed affection for the keyboards and was playing organ for his home church. By the time Michael graduated from high school, he was a working professionally, playing keyboards for soul singer, Jennifer Holiday. In 1988 Michael formed his own choir Communion, which recorded their only CD: “He’s Alive” for Detroit’s Sound of Gospel label in 1991. When his mentor, Thomas “The Maestro” Whitfield (renowned for his choir, composition and production work), needed an up-tempo song for a CD he was producing on baritone Douglas Miller, Michael submitted his tune, “On the Battlefield” for his first nationally released song. While studying musical theory at Henry Ford College in 1991, Michael’s first experience of the play life was the job of music director for the musical play “Selma” written by Thomas Butler and partner comedian Redd Foxx.

Over the next decade, Mindingall honed his skills and became an in-demand recording session player on numerous recordings and in concert settings. Mindingall is a sought after producer and arranger and has worked with music industry giants, like Michael J Powell (Anita Bakers Producer) Aretha Franklin, Holland Brothers (Holland Dozier Holland Motown writers) Keith Washington, Diana Ross, The Dramatics, Four Tops, George Clinton,, Shirley Murdock, Tyrese Coko, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin Music Director for Vesta Williams just to name a few.

In October 2005 Michael traveled overseas to Krefeld, Germany where he was the special guest for the Gospel Music Festival where 400 choir members preformed his original songs. The event was named after his song “He’s Alive” sung around the country every Easter which was arranged to Ludwig Van Beethoven’s’ 5th which got a standing ovation.

His keyboarding can be heard on Ms. Aretha Franklin’s 2006 Grammy Award winning tribute song to Luther Vandross, “A House Is Not A Home.” When Diana Ross preformed at the fame Fox Theater in 2004 Michael was called to direct and provide background vocal singers for the pop Diva two day sold out concert. Michael’s first movie experience was in 2011: a call from Sony Pictures to teach Jordan Sparks lead actress piano for the movie “Sparkle” and on big screen credits read Piano Coach for “Jordan Sparks” for the movie Sparkle released Aug 2012. Michael was called on to do a Documentary video for Allee Willis - Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Webby award-winning and nominated songwriter who wrote hits for Earth Wind & Fire’s (Boogie Wonderland, September) in which the video was shot on Sept 21, 2013.