Biography
Since his arrival in the fall of 1996 to Atlanta, jazz guitarist Mikey has become one of the most sought after straight-ahead jazz guitarists in the area.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Mike subsequently resided in New York City where he performed at some of Manhattan’s more prestigious jazz venues including Condon’s, Birdland, The Village Gate, Fat Tuesdays, and Showman’s Lounge. He has appeared with Charles Davis, Al Grey, Della Reese, Richie Vitale, Junior Cook, Joe Romano, and Ralph Lalama.
Serving his “road” apprenticeship with legendary organist Bill Doggett, guitarist Kelly continues to appear at numerous jazz festivals in the U.S. as both leader and sideman including the Montreaux-Detroit Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival where he has led his quartet regularly since 1997. In 1996, he performed for the John Coltrane Cultural Society in Philadelphia with bassist Larry Ridley. Under the sponsorship of the Blosphorus Cymbal Co. and Filament Records, Kelly appeared with drummer Phillip Smith’s Jazz Consortium during the 1999 NAMM show in Nashville. In addition to performing throughout the Atlanta area and the southeast, Kelly is active in the recording studio appearing on Phillip Smith’s latest release Jazz Consortium (Filament Records), Francine Reed’s Shades of Blue (Platinum Records) and Dennis Caiazza’s Jump, Jive and Wail (Savoy Records).
Quote: $1,000-1,500
Song List
- I Can’t Get Started
- Laura
- I Had The Craziest Dream
- Just Friends
- It Had to Be You
- My Ideal
- This Can’t Be Love
- Like someone in Love
- This Could Be the Start of Something Big
- Recordame
- Softly As in A Morning Sunrise
- What Is This Thing Called LoveAll the Things You Are
- Out of Nowhere
- ConfirmationSatin DollAnthropology
- Social Call
- Triste
- No More Blues
- Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
- How About You
- The Girl from Ipanema
- Wave
- Desifinado
- Make Someone Happy
- How High the Moon
- Moonlight in Vermont
- Yardbird Suite
- Impressions
- So What
- Time Was
- Moonlight Becomes You
- Imagination
- I’m Confessin’
- Fungi Mama
- Sweet and Lovely
- Dream
- I Cover the Waterfront
- Alone Together
- Love Walked In
- I Want More
- Tenderly
- Love For Sale
- Green Dolphin St.
- Stella By Starlight
- Gone With The Wind
- Lullaby of Birdland
- Freight Trane
- Meditation
- All of Me
- The Shadow of Your Smile
- Fly Me to the Moon
- Blue Moon
- East of the Sun
- Star Eyes
Reviews
“Atlanta-based guitarist Mike Kelly holds the distinction of being one of the finest improvisers in town.” – Creative Loafing