Bio

Michael Friedman is a widely respected bassist, composer and educator based in Denver, CO.  Michael has been captivating audiences with his bass playing for years.  He is a powerful, energetic artist who can go in a variety of musical directions.  “A Colorado mainstay,” wrote Bret Saunders of the Denver Post & KBCO Radio.  “His bass playing is as in the pocket as it gets,” wrote Jonathan Widran of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene.  Michael has performed on and composed for recordings that have reached the top of national music charts and have received widespread airplay.

The Michael Friedman Band was formed in 2003.  They will get you moving with their musical blend of R&B, funk, jazz & originals tunes!  The group has a proven performance track record throughout the Colorado Front Range.  They have become a favorite of music lovers and promoters alike.  The band includes some of Denver's most accomplished musicians that have national acclaim of their own: Robert Johnson (vocalist), Eric Gunnison/Justin Adams (keyboards), Bob Rebholz/Jeff Nathanson (saxes/flute), Larry Thompson/Brian Mikulich (drums), Randy Chavez/Mike Abbott (guitar).

Past performances by the Michael Friedman Band:  Cherry Creek Arts Festival Main Stage 2023, Concerts at Clement Park Amphitheater/Littleton (2023, 2019, 2021), Art on the Green/Greenwood Village 2023, Summerset Festival/Littleton (2023, 2022), City Park Jazz Denver, Greenwood Village Mobile Concert Series 2022, Boulder Creek Festival 2022, Highlands Ranch Winter Cultural Series 2022, City Center Amphitheater/Englewood, Culture on the Green/Highlands Ranch, Performances in the Park Anderson Park Pavilion/Wheat Ridge, Highlands Heritage Park Concerts/Highlands Ranch 2019, RidgeGate Summer Beats/Lone Tree 2019, Highlands Street Fair/Denver 2019, Littleton Museum Concerts 2018 & 2019, Colorado Mountain Winefest, Music in the Meadows/Castle Rock, Crescent Concert Series/Greenwood Village, City of Brighton Concert Series, Riverwalk Center/Breckenridge, CherryArts at Stanley Festival 2018 & 2017, Woodland Park Wine & Food Festival, Rialto Theatre/Loveland, Taste of Highlands Ranch, Denver City Park Jazz Series, Dazzle Jazz Club, Curtain Call at the Mansion/Highlands Ranch, Denver Health Foundation NightShine Gala, Cherry Creek Arts Festival Opening Night Gala 2023, ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration, Breckenridge Music Festival Annual Fundraiser Concert.

Michael has performed/recorded with many music luminaries, including Dotsero (co-founder and former member), Dave Valentin, Robert Johnson, Xiren, National Repertory Orchestra and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, among many others.   Michael has produced two acclaimed recordings of his own:  Seize the Day and Swingset Jazz.

Friedman has shared the stage with various artists at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Catalina Jazz Festival, Cancun Jazz Festival and Winter Park Jazz Festival.  Michael has also performed his solo bass rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Major League sporting events.

Michael has earned accolades from DownBeat Magazine, the International Association of Jazz Educators, Westword's Best of Denver, and has received a Denver Mayor's Award for the Excellence in the Arts and Culture (with Dotsero).   Michael is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards), and a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).   Michael is proud to have artist endorsements with Tobias Basses and Dean Markley Strings.