Mike Wyatt
tenor saxophone, vocals
Getting his start in the Midwest, saxophonist Mike Wyatt has had the opportunity to stretch his musical wings with a variety of recognized groups in an array of styles. His first public performances began in high school, playing in small jazz combos and rock bands. Through continuous listening of many local groups and performers, he discovered his own love for improvising in many styles and aligned himself with legendary Cleveland tenor saxophonist Ernie Krivda (Cadence/CIMP recording artist & of Quincy Jones fame) for direction.
After several years of study with Krivda, Mike worked his way in as a regular member of Ernie Krivda's Fat Tuesday Big Band, a high-energy 18-pc. big band that is renowned for its authentic yet uniquely hip blues, bop, boogie, & shout.
Through networking with the members of the Cleveland jazz circuit, Mike met Vaughn Wiester, an accomplished trombonist and former performer/writer for the Woody Herman Orchestra. Wiester put Mike in the saxophone section of his Famous Jazz Orchestra when moving to Columbus, OH, where he played weekly with the FJO along such special guests as John von Olen, Jim Rupp, John Fedchock & Bill Holman. In Columbus, Mike also shared the stage with seasoned west coast jazz drummers Joe LaBarbera & Steve Houghton, studied privately with Dr. Michael Cox, & was a member of the Ohio IAJE Intercollegiate Big Band.
It was also in Ohio’s state capital where Mike landed his next musical break. A phone call from percussionist Ed Davis paved the way for what became a spot in one of Ohio's hottest and upcoming acoustic rock/pop bands, American Cherry. Through a fusion of many different elements of jazz, funk, folk, latin, and afro-cuban, American Cherry's danceable, pop-sensitive music landed Mike performances opening for such bands as Oval Opus, The Shantee, Blues Traveller, Red Wanting Blue, Styx, & Peter Frampton.
The Scarlet & Grey Café on the campus of the Ohio State University is where Mike got the opportunity to meet a few more rockers that were about to influence him very much. Playing a set opposite American Cherry was the Montreal-based Throwback, a tight foursome influenced heavily by roots rock, hip hop, jazz, & folk, delivering their act with seamless vocal harmonies and innovative percussion. After sitting in with the band and getting to know the members, it wasn't until Mike moved to Boston, MA to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music that he was reunited with the members of Throwback. A phone call, this time from drummer Micah Shapiro, landed Mike guest performances with the band all over the Northeast, opening for Pete Francis (formerly of Dispatch), Speechwriters LLC, & the Alternate Routes.
In addition to Two Hour Change, Mike enjoys performing in two other bands around Boston: the Mike Wyatt Quartet, a straight-ahead, swinging classic jazz vehicle that combines Mike's tenor sax with an all-star rhythm section, and the Beantown Swing Orchestra, New England’s hottest swing big band, 18-pieces strong.
This September 2008, Mike will make his debut silver screen appearance with the Beantown Swing Orchestra in the Lionsgate production, “My Best Friend’s Girl” in scenes with Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, & Jason Biggs.
