Michael P.

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Michael P.  is a promising young jazz alto saxophonist, educator and composer. His musical journey began in middle school where he chose to pursue the alto saxophone under the direction of James Robinson. While in high school, at THE Memphis Central High School, he became serious about pursuing a career in music after meeting the revered jazz educator and alto saxophonist Ron Carter. It was this encounter that ignited a passion and love for jazz music that he had not yet experienced. With a new established passion for jazz, Michael was blessed with a full-scholarship to attend the Memphis Jazz Workshop, a program designed for aspiring young jazz musicians, his sophomore year until he graduated in 2019. In 2019, he was given the opportunity to study with Gregory Tardy at the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a full scholarship to attend college, graduating in 2023 with a BM in Studio Music & Jazz. During his time there he had the opportunity to be mentored by and perform with Gregory Tardy, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Eric Reed and Rodney Whitaker, amongst others.

Once graduating, Michael moved back to Memphis in order to help lead and inspire the next generation of aspiring jazz musicians at the Memphis Jazz Workshop where he taught theory, private lessons and assisted with chamber/combo ensembles. In May of 2024, Michael earned the opportunity to attend the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, a 10 day residency led by the MacArthur fellow, jazz pianist and multimedia artist Jason Moran, who provided mentorship and access to a world class faculty of musicians, namely: Ingrid Jensen, Benny Green, Jimmy Green, Carmen Lundy, Linda May Han Oh and Alvester Garnett. During this opportunity he wrote and performed an original composition “Lament & Praise” for the final concert.

Following his residency, Michael proposed and married Ljuliana Thomas and moved to New Jersey to pursue a Master’s Degree at the Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University under the instruction of Ralph Bowen, Orrin Evans and Abraham Burton. Michael has developed a deep-seated passion for teaching students how to perform and compose music, and looks forward to providing direction for students of all ages with love and passion at the Hunterdon Academy of the Arts.