NEW CHRISTMAS CD!! 2006! 'Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas', my first CD with vocals! Joining me on this new recording is award-winning NW vocalist, Greta Matassa. Also features Clipper Anderson on bass AND vocals and Terry Lauber on vocals. I am making my vocal debut on this CD! I have some terrific arrangements that really spotlight each song. Styles range from blues to swing, to great vocal duets and special surprises. Here's the songs on the CD! Medley: I Love the Winter Weather/I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - charming duet with Greta and ClipperSanta Claus is Coming to Town - fun swing arrangement, vocal by GretaChristmas Time is Here - beautiful romantic jazz ballad vocal by GretaDeck the Halls -instrumental jazz trio (very Austin Powersish)If I Only Had a Brain - vocal debut by Mike!Walking in the Air from the video 'The Snowman' - Greta sings it like an angel!!Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Clipper sings it with Jay Thomas on flugelhornO Lil Town of Bethlehem - cool instrumental jazz trioBaby It's Cold Outside (duet with Clipper and Greta - VERY Romantic!)Silent Night - again, Greta sings it like an angel!Yuletide Dance (my first original Christmas song - vocal by Terry Lauber and lyrics by my songwriting partner, PAUL JARVIS!!)Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - blues vocal by GretaAuld Lang Syne - blues piano solo by MikeA Brief Biography of Mike StricklandPianist and composer Mike Strickland presents a hybrid of jazz and popular music. Born and raised in Jackson Mississippi, he grew up listening to Henry Mancini, Vince Guaraldi, the Beatles and Burt Bacharach. His performance career started at the age of 9 when his father would encourage him to entertain dinner guests ('Alley Cat' and 'Baby Elephant Walk' were the big hits back then). Mike discovered his love for the Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington) while singing in musicals and school choirs. After turning eighteen, he began to frequent the clubs and listened to great local blues talents including native Mississippian B.B. King. Formal music studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and California State University at Northridge continued to expand his musical talents.
It was during this time Mike started composing and arranging his own original music. Mike developed his unique performance style playing in ski resorts, where his eclectic sets might include Beatles tunes, romantic Film themes, and piano-busting boogie-woogie numbers.
Residing in Seattle, Washington since 1981, Mike has built a solid career as a performer, composer and recording artist. In 1987, he formed Mike Strickland Productions, Inc. and recorded 'Floating', his first album of original music. This upbeat, creative album attracted the attention of CBS Sports PGA Golf producer, Frank Chirkinian, and Mike continued to write music for CBS Sports PGA Golf telecasts for the next 7 years.
In the last 20 years, Mike has performed extensively all over the United States as a solo artist and with various groups. To date, he has recorded 18 albums, including the most recent 2005 recording, 'Private Concert'. He has sold over 250,000 CDs in the USA alone.
His recordings have aired nationally on radio and television programs and his music is broadcast through Muzak and DMX Music via satellite to 40,000 businesses internationally. His work has been distributed commercially throughout the USA, including gift and specialty store markets such as DisneyWorld gift properties, Hallmark stores and The Sharper Image.
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