Scott K Fish
Silver Member
Interviews
Dallas' Mike Mitchell is a Jazz Drumming Prodigy
By Jeremy Hallock Tue., Jan. 13 2015 at 9:15 AM
Worldly and wise with chops and a first class music education at the age of 20, Dallas drummer Mike Mitchell is a globetrotting prodigy. In the last four years he has won more awards from DownBeat Magazine than he can remember, as well as being cited as an up-and-coming artist in countless other worldwide publications. He has worked with [bassist] Christian McBride, [alto saxophonist] Antonio Hart.... But this only scratches the surface of what Mitchell has already accomplished.
Mitchell has been playing drums since he was two years old, when he watched an older cousin play drums and learned quickly.
"I'm still searching," he says. "I want to have my own independent style and voice. Most drum nerds are able to listen to an album and immediately tell you who the drummer is and that's the goal for me."
It is clear that he has been influenced by jazz fusion drummers like Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, and Lenny White. But he also takes queues from rock drummers like Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and John Bonham.
Full Story
Scott K Fish Blog: Life Beyond the Cymbals
Dallas' Mike Mitchell is a Jazz Drumming Prodigy
By Jeremy Hallock Tue., Jan. 13 2015 at 9:15 AM
Worldly and wise with chops and a first class music education at the age of 20, Dallas drummer Mike Mitchell is a globetrotting prodigy. In the last four years he has won more awards from DownBeat Magazine than he can remember, as well as being cited as an up-and-coming artist in countless other worldwide publications. He has worked with [bassist] Christian McBride, [alto saxophonist] Antonio Hart.... But this only scratches the surface of what Mitchell has already accomplished.
Mitchell has been playing drums since he was two years old, when he watched an older cousin play drums and learned quickly.
"I'm still searching," he says. "I want to have my own independent style and voice. Most drum nerds are able to listen to an album and immediately tell you who the drummer is and that's the goal for me."
It is clear that he has been influenced by jazz fusion drummers like Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, and Lenny White. But he also takes queues from rock drummers like Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and John Bonham.
Full Story
Scott K Fish Blog: Life Beyond the Cymbals