Michael James Taylor. Trumpet player. Jazz musician. Real nice guy too. Raised in New Plymouth, New Zealand, Michael Taylor has spent his life surrounded by music. Originally trained on the piano, when Michael was 11, he was given the opportunity to pick up the trumpet. It was soon after that he discovered his love of Jazz. His skill on the trumpet didn’t go unnoticed, finding himself regularly gigging with seasoned local musicians.

Michael moved to Wellington to pursue a full-time career in music, completing his degree in performance Jazz from Massey School of Music in 2002. It was during this time that he established himself as a professional musician throughout the Wellington community and beyond. In 2002, at the age of 21, he won the Muriel May Scholarship in recognition of his talents; an award typically reserved for classical musicians.

Michael continued his studies in New York City where he completed his Masters in Music from Manhattan School of Music in 2009. Now based in NYC, he spends his days playing and recording as a full-time session musician. He has toured extensively, performing in Europe, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Records that Michael has played on have gone platinum in New Zealand and have twice won the New Zealand Jazz album of the year.