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Michael Azzopardi comes from a large and very musical family. His father Joe helped pioneer the sound of funk/soul in Australia in the 60's and 70's with Azzopardi family band "Afrika" featuring Mary, Rita, Tony, and Mario Azzopardi, who are all still active in the music industry. The strong presence of music in his family inspired Michael and older brother Luke (who is an amazingly talented and versitile vocalist) from an early age. Born in Sydney in 1984, he started classical piano lessons at age 5, moving through AMEB grades and competing in eisteddfods, winning the Australian Music School's competition and overall performance award at age 12. He then attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. By his early teens, Michael turned his attention to Jazz piano, studying at the Sydney Conservatorium, performing with many of Sydney's top Jazz and session musicians by age 16. In 2003, Michael was accepted into the Australian National University School of Music to complete a Bachelor of Music (Jazz). Whilst studying, Michael was awarded the 2005 Michael Foster Scholarship, for outstanding achievment in Jazz. While at ANU, Michael was approached by USA bassist and ANU lecturer Eric C. Ajaye (Freddie Hubbard, Bennie Maupin, Nancy Wilson, Pointer Sisters, Taj Mahal) to form the Canberra based trio "Straight Up!", along with drummer Chris Thwaite (Katook). They released 2 albums; "The Flow" in 2006 and "Another Year" in 2007. Both albums received critical acclaim and are played regularly on National radio. Their performances throughout Australia received rave reviews. Since graduating from ANU in 2006, Michael has earned a reputation as an exciting and versatile musician, and has had the opportunity to perform/record with Australian and international artists spanning many different genres including Marcia Hines, Bob Mintzer, Don Burrows, Lucky Oceans, Joan Rivers, Jeff Duff, Doug Parkinson, Eric Ajaye, Emma Pask, Kristen Berardi, Brendan Clarke, Miroslav Bukovsky, John Mackey, Nathan Foley (Hi-5), and Mi Tierra. Michael is also in demand for work in Musical Theatre productions. His theatre credits include:
"Saturday Night Fever"
(2004/2005 - Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia)
"Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert"
(2007/2008 - Australia, New Zealand as Deputy Conductor)
"Avenue Q"
(2009/2010 - Australia, New Zealand as Assistant Musical Director)
"Burn The Floor - Floorplay"
(Recorded piano parts for world tour) In 2009/2010, Michael will be touring Australia and New Zealand as the Assistant Musical Director of the Australian production of the hit Broadway musical Avenue Q, as well as writing material for his first solo album and other projects. 
My uncle Tony Azzopardi is one of Australia's premier percussionists. WATCH OUT FOR HIM ON AUSTRALIAN IDOL!
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"Another Year" album cover
