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Those who know Michael J Thomas would describe him as a contemporary smooth jazz artist with integrity. As a musician, Michael has enjoyed continued success in his professional career. The saxophonist recently landed a recording contract with Thailand's Chanes Music, Inc. and is scheduled to release his first album in 2008 as a signed artist. In 2006, he won the title of "Best of the Emerald Coast" in the category of BEST MUSICIAN/VOCALIST/BAND where he currently lives in Destin, FL.
Michael grew up in Cecilia, KY just outside of Elizabethtown where the Hollywood movie, Elizabethtown, was filmed in 2005. Although he was from a small town where his style of music was not prominent, Michael held a deep love for R&B/Soul and jazz. He began piano lessons at age 7 studying intermittently until the 7th grade. However, the 7th grade is when his life took a turn for the better because that's when he was introduced to the saxophone. Michael clearly remembers the day his love for the sax began, "My wishes were to play the drums, but when I went to the introduction meeting of middle school band I realized that playing the drums was not an option. It was there that I saw a Saxophone for the first time and I chose it because of its unique shape," he recalls. Michael instantly connected with the shiny instrument but he didn't take himself seriously as a saxophone player until his sophomore year in high school. His beginning days playing the horn weren't so smooth, "I felt left out from the rest of the group in high school band because I wasn't proficient enough to be chosen for an ensemble by my peers. I felt like someone that gets picked last for a basketball or football team," he says.
Michael didn't let this little setback get in his way. He started dedicating all of his free time to developing his abilities on the saxophone. Soon after, he became the guy that everyone else wanted to perform with. He even won several talent shows, made All-State Jazz Band, and was awarded the John Philips Sousa Award in his senior year of high school. In addition, he was awarded a music scholarship to the University of Kentucky where he attended for two semesters. It didn't take him long to figure out that his passion was in performing, not teaching. That's when his professional career began to blossom. At the age of 19, he began a two-year stint with the Jive Rockets. While touring a multitude of Midwest venues, he had the privilege to open for a variety of prestigious bands such as the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy, and Bill Haley's Original Comets.
Eventually, his love for music led him to move to the Emerald Coast in 1999. He feels blessed to be able to perform in a host of local establishments, festivals, concerts, and private venues. With his career continually growing, he has been put on the same bill with other popular smooth jazz artists such as Alex Bugnon, Bona Fide featuring Slim Man, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Brian Simpson, Chante Moore, Dave Koz, Down To The Bone, Eric Darius, Euge Groove, Four 80 East, Gerald Albright, Jake Shimabukuro, Jeff Golub, Jeff Kashiwa, Joey Sommerville, Jonathon Butler, Joyce Cooling, Kim Waters, Kirk Whalum, Matt Marshak, Mindi Abair, Nick Colionne, Nils, Norman Brown, Paul Taylor, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Roman Street, Shilts, Steve Cole, Steve Oliver, The Groove Boutique with Rafe Gomez, Tim Bowman, Urban Jazz Colition, and Wayman Tisdale. He has performed with Christian artists Sandi Patty and Mark Harris as well. Within two weeks of moving to the Emerald Coast, Michael found his church home with Faith Assembly where, to this day, he remains a member of the praise and worship team. This is important to the talented musician because he never wants to forget where he feels his blessings come from. He's made it a goal to spend his musical gift on others, "I want to bless people through my music and have a lasting career with integrity," he says. He is currently writing songs for his upcoming recording in Thailand and performing at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Destin, FL.
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