Mike Clark is an incredibly versatile musician who’s experience ranges from Classical, Jazz, Motown and everything else in between.
Mike grew up in Newark, N. J. and
began playing Hammond Organ at the age of 6, and Piano by 12. At
age 15 was playing in New York Jazz clubs with great musicians
like Dizzy Gillispie, Jimmy McGriff and the Marsalis Brothers.
That was Mike’s college education. Live with some of the greatest musicians putting him to the test night after night. During this time he continued as the Drum Major of the High School Band. Tutored by musicians in Classical - by Joseph Armstrong Organist (First Black graduate of Gilman School of Music in London, teacher of Rhoda Scott), Gospel - Ms. Marion Keen & Madame Annie Lundsy Lewis, and Jazz - Howard “Duke Anderson” as well as Jimmy McGriff. He not only learned to play the Organ and Piano, but also music theory, how to compose and perform.
His early years with the Newark
Boys Chorus, he toured across the United States and Europe, having
the privilege to perform under the direction of such world-class
conductors like Leonard Bernstien, Pierre Boulez, Henry Lewis,
and Harold Shaw. Music has been Mike’s life!
Mike arranged a song called ‘I
want to dress you up in my love’ which was written by the songwriter
team Peggy Stanziale and Andrea La Russo, and later recorded by
Madonna on her hit record ' Like a Virgin'. He also recorded for
Bonnie Pointer, Gwen Guthrie “Good to Go Lover”&"Outside
in the Rain", Young & Company “I
Like What You’re
Doin To Me”,
Terry Forsythe and many others.
His experience as keyboard player
has spanned over 20 years as a Musical Director and Sideman in
a variety of shows in virtually every casino in Las Vegas, Reno,
and Lake Tahoe. Performing with over a 100 acts including: Johnny
Gill, The Weather Girls, Joe Thomas, Jerry Springer, Betty Carter,
The Drifters, Bo Diddley, Issac Hayes, Skip Martin, Darcus, Earl
Turner, Sonny Turner, Regina Bell, The Las Vegas Tenors, Jean
Carne and many more.
Mike Clark is the complete package,
reads, writes, composes and performs.
A Great Musician!
