Michelangelo began training as a classical pianist at the age of six. On the path to becoming a concert pianist, Michelangelo realized a greater passion for composition and songwriting. This passion would eventually lead him to the stages of New York City with a powerful sound and an intense musical discipline.
The Early Years
Recognition of Michelangelos songwriting first sparked in 1987 at the age of 13 when Huey Lewis and the News sought out to buy three of his original songs. Since then, the acknowledgement of his talent by established musicians has continued to gain momentum:
§ Project Mozart Award for Composition (1989)
§ Solo Award for tuba performance at Greenwich Jazz Festival (1991)
§ Winner, Connecticut Songwriting Competition, for his pop song Standing in
the Snow (1991)
§ Selected All County and All State for Tenor (1991) and Bass Baritone (1992)
A Composer at Heart
Michelangelos professional career began to take off when he started composing music for film and theater while studying acting and music at New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts. In the summers of 1993 and 1994, he collaborated with 11-year-old playwrights to compose songs for the Berkshire Theater Festivals Childrens Theater. And in 1996 and 1997, Michelangelo received two Best Original Score Awards and four nominations at the New York First Run Film Festival.
Upon graduation from NYU in 1996, Michelangelo scored numerous short films, documentaries and dance pieces. He also composed music for many Off-Broadway plays showcased at prestigious venues such as the Judith Anderson Theater, the Jose Quintero Theater, the Frederick Lowe Theater, the Stella Adler Theater, the NEC and many more, and composed music for national television networks including USA, HBO and PBS.
In 1999, Michelangelo created music and the Believe in Me theme song for the Believe in Me Foundation, a renowned organization providing college financial aid to promising students. The Believe in Me theme song was performed by the New York Boys Choir, narrated by David Dinkins and featured on the jumbotron at Madison Square Garden.
The Band
In the summer of 1999, Michelangelo wrote and compiled his first full-length pop album, In the Beginning. The album was Michelangelos impetus for redirecting his career from film scoring to popular music. By the beginning of 2000, he had assembled his first professional band, simply named Michelangelo.
The band recorded their first album, entitled Elements, at the Manhattan Center in New York City. Elements combines earthy grooves, sophisticated pop, driving lyrics and a fusion of funk, Latin, disco and a mixture of jazz disciplines. The album made it to the shelves of Tower Records in New York City and sold out of its first run in 2001. Since then, Michelangelo has performed at various venues around the city including the Cutting Room, Joes Pub, Downtime, Arlenes Grocery, Triad Lounge, CBGBs 313, Continental, Makor, Luna Lounge, Spiral Lounge, Acme Underground, Brownies, The Bitter End, Scopa, 169 Bar, Desmonds, Elbow Room and Tribeca Blues. Michelangelos music is being featured on Long Island radio, Online radio and Network Compilations, and he is branching out to additional regions. Between performances, Michelangelo is working with several producers on new material slated for a summer release. We are thrilled to share the music of Michelangelo with you. Enjoy your listen.