"Top New Beat" (band for audio track "Song for My Untitled Lady" plus videos "Hat," "Song for My Untitled Lady," and "Monopoly Money"): Andrew Katzenstein, alto sax; Sam Weinberg, tenor and soprano sax; Mike Engle, vibraphone, marimba; Daniel Bazan, Jr., piano; Dave Ambrosio, bass; Vinnie Sperrazza, drums. Active 2006-07
"McGill Combo Winter 2008" (band for audio tracks "Andrew Hill" and "Couldn't It Be You?"): Heather Anderson, trumpet; Bobbie Jane Desforges, tenor sax; Geoff Cronin, trombone; Mike Engle, vibraphone; Gabriella Ciurcovich, bass; Matt Daher, drums. Active Jan-Apr 2008.
"Mike Engle Vibraphone Collective" (band for audio track "Theme for J.T."): Mike Engle, vibraphone; Colin Edgar, tenor saxophone; James Colwell, guitar; James Meger, bass; Dan Garmon, drums. Active Sept 2008--.
Influences
Vibraphonists: Gary Burton, Bobby Hutcherson, Arthur Lipner, Tom Beckham, Stefon Harris, Milt Jackson, Terry Gibbs, David Friedman, Dave Samuels, and Joe Locke
Others: Andrew Hill, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, T. Monk, Joe Henderson, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Jackie McLean, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Sam Rivers, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Robert Glasper...basically anything with the Blue Note Records stamp. It's "The Finest in Jazz Since 1939."
Special shout-outs: my friends, family, and teachers. You don't have to be a musical influence. Character influences count too. So I'll give them their dues. If you belong in this category, you know who you are. Thanks, guys.
Sounds Like
Well, it should sound like a vibraphone. And hopefully the best combination and sequence of one, two, three, and/or four notes possible. It's fun to play, hopefully it's nice to listen to.
Some of the songs sound original because...they are. "Song for My Untitled Lady," "Andrew Hill," and "Theme for J.T." are all composed by me, Mike Engle. Copyrights are pending.
Michael Bradley (Mike) Engle (b. 1989) is a jazz vibraphonist originally from New Orleans, LA. Initially a piano player, he, in Grade 10, discovered the vibraphone while enrolled at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) and became a full-time vibraphonist by the end of the school year.
Engle moved to New York in 2005; you may have seen him with his band, Top New Beat (see "Band Members" for personnel), which featured the members' original compositions and an occasional cover tune. Alternatively, you might have seen him freelancing at Iridium, Cleopatra's Needle, and Smoke Jazz and Supper Club. He has had the privilege of meeting and playing with some of New York City's finest talent, including, but not limited to, Barry Levitt, Jon Weiss, Toru Dodo, Dan Nimmer (of Wynton Marsalis fame), and Benito Gonzalez (once associated with Kenny Garrett).
During his time in NYC, Engle has studied with world-class vibraphonists Arthur Lipner and Tom Beckham.
Engle, when not in New York, can be found in Montreal, studying full-time at McGill University. At McGill, he is a member of Jazz Orchestra III (Bryan McNamara, conductor) as well as the leader of his quintet (Mike Engle Vibraphone Collective, see "Band Members" for personnel). He has studied with many of Canada's best musicians while at McGill, including Carlos Jimenez, Andre White, Aiyun Huang, Greg Clayton and Remi Bolduc, among many others.
Mike Engle is an avid composer for his small groups. Of his current tracks, "Song for My Untitled Lady," "Andrew Hill," and "Theme for J.T." are all original Mike Engle compositions.
Mike Engle also maintains a Facebook page devoted to his music. It can be accessed here. Becoming a fan of Mike's on Facebook is a great way to stay up-to-date with his musical events, if you have a Facebook account.
Hey Mike, it was nice meeting you and having you in class this semester. Even if I'm not teaching next semester, I'm sure I'll see you around. Enjoy the break! Bye Carlos
Thanks man! Nope, for some reason my camera just does that haha i really can't explain why. But no, im right handed. Looking forward to meting you too man, nice playing yourself!
