Meet Michael Cates | Producer, Saxophonist, multi instrumentalist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Cates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I believe it’s genetic. My mother was a prominent child actress and singer. Her career spanned from 5 years old to 28 when she had me, and transferred her voice to liturgical pursuits until she died in 2005. So I’ve been immersed in sound and movement, chordal and melodic techniques since my earliest memories. I chose to study music and further develop my theory and practical discipline attending performing arts school and briefly attended Berklee while awaiting my enlistment to the United States Marine Corps. My time in service never removed me from my sax, as it was a part my personal trunk. Just the same, My MOS was not in music.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I write instrumental, contemporary jazz style music, very much in the style of the great 1970’s and 80’s flavor. These were the greatest days in contemporary jazz and remain the sine qua non.

My hope is that I can do it justice and bring back the disenchanted listeners that have left this music after being flooded with jazz lite, or smooth jazz. I play it too, if you wish to compete for airplay, but it is not my way in terms of saxophonic expression. My smooth jazz pieces have more edge and tend to push the envelope a little more. This doesn’t always bode well with the status quo, but to my suprise I get tons of compliments from radio programmers who encourage me to keep being true to the music. So I continue to do just that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a pilot so let’s go
flying. Then perhaps to one of incredible shooting ranges here in Texas, safe and full of decent and respectful sports people, if it’s food, then off to the Marriott Stonebriar in Frisco TX for their signature meals. And then of course you have to get in a round of golf at their spectacular course.
That doesn’t leave much time to relax, so down to the pool for refreshments and the hot tub. The end to a perfect day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At this stage I would introduce you to the piano virtuoso Rob Mullins. We have worked together for some time and developed a close friendship. I was a fan of his in the 80’s while listening to a great keyboard solo on WQCD, NYC. I knew I was listening to Chick Corea at that moment, until the DJ announced the track was by Rob Mullins. Many years later a mutual friend, the great singer and bassist Larry Antonino put us together and I was truly star struck. I believe he quite possibly is the greatest jazz pianist of our time.

We have written and co-produced many tracks together and I am looking very forward to these releases going public.

Website: https://michaelcates.com

Instagram: @michaelcatesmusic

Facebook: @michaelcatesmusic

Image Credits
Raine Cates