Mike Fahie September 1, 2007

Trombonist and composer Mike Fahie has been active performing and writing music in New York for 6 years. A native of Ottawa, Canada, Mike began his professional career in Montreal, working as a first-call trombonist with numerous groups, including the legendary Canadian composer/pianist Vic Vogel, and the prolific salsa producer Jesus El Nino Alejandro. During his time in Montreal, Mike played with virtually every jazz musician in Montreal, including Andre Leroux, Kelly Jefferson, Ron Di Lauro, Dave Laing, Fraser Hollins, Joel Miller, Bryn Roberts, Karl Jannuska, Joe Sullivan, and Andre White.
In 1999, Mike spent six months in Vancouver playing the show Forever Swing with Michael Buble and Gary Guthman. On his return to Montreal, he was asked play and tour with the great Canadian vocalist Ranee Lee. Mike worked with Ranee Lee for several years, and toured extensively in Canada, US and Mexico.

In late 2000, Mike answered the call of the jazz musician, and moved to New York City. He pursued his Masters Degree at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM), where he was the first ever Candian Fulbright Scholar in the field of Jazz. At MSM, he both refined his style and began collaborations with other up-and-coming jazz musicians in New York, including Will Vinson, Jason Rigby, Jeff Davis, Ryan Keberle, Scott Dubois and many others.

While at MSM, Mike began playing regularly with fellow Montrealer Billy Bouffard, and together they formed the group Utopia. This sextet played original avant-garde jazz, exploring the different relationships between instruments in the small group jazz context. They were invited to perform at the inaugural Carnegie Hall Jazz Workshop, an event that was open to small jazz ensembles worldwide, and included groups from countries around the world. The workshop culminated in a highlight performance at Carnegie Hall in 2002.

Shortly after finishing his Masters Degree, Mike was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trombone Competition. This honor was highlighted by a performance at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., attended by many jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Curtis Fuller.

Mikes developing passion for composition led him to create the Mike Fahie Jazz Orchestra in 2003, serving as a vehicle to experiment with large ensemble composition, as well as a forum to work with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the city. The MFJO is currently active with both education and performance in New York.

Mike has always been a versatile trombonist, able to play in multiple musical styles, from jazz to classical to salsa, and many others. In 2003, he joined the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, and is now their principal trombonist. He is also in their highly acclaimed Principal Quintet, a group which can be heard regularly around New York. Michael has performed with orchestras, military bands, and brass ensembles and has been featured as a solo trombonist in the Young Artist Series at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Mike is an active member of the creative music scene in New York, and performs with many great jazz musicians. He is currently working in a small group with the legendary trumpet player John McNeil. Other musicians Mike has performed with include Ingrid Jensen, Jon Cowherd, Pedro Giraudo and his Mr. Vivo Big Band, Alan Ferber, Pete Yellin, Michael Wolff, Andrew Green, Marshall Gilkes, Paul Carlon & Ileana Santamaria.

As an in-demand jazz and commercial trombonist, Mike is often on the road. In early 2006, Mike was invited to play with world-renowned clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and played lead trombone to critical acclaim in a 3-month tour of the U.S. Over the past several years, Mike has toured Canada with Canadian songstress Holly Larocque and the Mark Ferguson Big Band. Their show was filmed by the CBC and recently aired to rave reviews on the prime-time program Opening Night. They are planning a tour of the U.S. this fall.

Mike has continued to develop as a composer and arranger, and has been writing commissioned works for several years, for both small groups and larger ensembles. He has developed a library of works for high-school level jazz band, as well as small ensemble jazz groups. He worked with trombonist Conrad Herwig on the preparation of his live CD The Latin Side of Miles Davis. The United States Military Academys Jazz Knights will perform the world debut of his most recent commissioned work The Monster Brooks No Pretense at a special performance this August.

Mike has also been extremely active in the educational field. He has been on the faculty of the United Nations International School since 2002, leading the jazz band and teaching private lessons. He helped create a childrens show called Dr. Jazz which playfully teaches New York city schoolchildren the basics of jazz music. He has given workshops on improvisation, arranging and composition at several colleges, and he is in demand as a private jazz instructor


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