MikeMRF is a Saxophonist, Pianist, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Composer, Arranger, Music Director, and Music Educator. Mike is a winner of the Lennon Award in the 2017 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for his original song "Mob Music", which is the title-track off his iTunes Chart-Topping sophomore album. In 2014, Mike won 2 OUTmusic Awards (out of 5 nominations - the most that year) including the highly coveted Humanitarian Songwriter of the Year for his LGBT-Youth empowerment-anthem, "Be Strong". The Mob Music album also placed on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart and has had several songs appear in TV and Film. His 2016 EP, Yasko Sensei, dedicated to his mentor and music-hero Yasko Kubota, placed at #11 on the iTunes Jazz Albums Charts and #2 on Billboard's Most Added Chart for radio single "Makes Me Wonder".
Mike holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Saxophone & Music Education from Berklee College of Music, as well as a Master's Degree in Music Theory & Composition from New York University where he currently teaches Songwriting as an Adjunct Professor. Mike has performed with Ada Vox, Matt Alber, Esera Tuaolo, Ruth Pointer, Cassandra Wilson, Esperanza Spaulding, Varla Jean Merman and many more. Mike also tours and music directs on piano and saxophone with long time co-writer Lisa Bello. Every Sunday, he performs and a weekly residency in NYC at ReBar Chelsea. His new album, Mob Music 2, was released on October 18, 2019 and hit #39 on the iTunes R&B Albums Chart. and was featured on Apple Music.
