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Mike Burton
About Me
It may sound cliche, but Michael Burton was made for making music. Jackson native
Michael Burton's musical gift was trained from an early age and honed through years
of commitment. His mother was a singer with the Mississippi Mass Choir and his father
a tenor saxophonist. In a home filled with music, he developed an affinity for soul and
jazz. As a student in Jackson Public Schools, Burton took part in music programs
offered at JPS's Academic and Performing Arts Complex (known as Power APAC) and
after graduating from Murrah High School in 1996 he embarked on a journey to build on
this musical legacy.
Since completing both bachelor's and master's degrees in Jazz Studies — under the
tutelage of David Baker at Indiana University — Burton's legacy and musical career
has flourished. He has toured with Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Anita Baker as well as
with New Edition, Johnta Austin, soul artist PJ Morton, and blues singer Willie Clayton.
Burton has played keys and sax for the Tyler Perry stage productions Madea Goes
To Jail, What's Done In The Dark, Why Did I Get Married, Laugh To Keep From Crying
and Madea's Big Happy Family. In 2009, Burton appeared in the much talked about
Perry film I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Before that he also made appearances in The
Family That Preys and Madea's Family Reunion.
Burton has recorded with a long list of jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, gospel, and
hip/hop artists including Polow Da Don, Ann Nesby, Jennifer Holliday, PJ Morton,
Avery Sunshine, Marcus Johnson, The Mississippi Mass Choir, and many others. His
soulful saxophone can also be heard on the Grammy Nominated Love Has Finally
Come At Last, by Calvin Richardson.
As if his performance credits weren't prolific enough, Burton's television and studio
production work extends the list. He has appeared on The Tonight Show, Ellen, Jimmy
Kimmel, TV One, BET Jazz, and performed alongside pianist Bobby Lyle on the
popular show Studio Jams. Michael frequently appears on the Mo'nique show as a
member of the house band (Big Jim's Penthouse Playas). Burton has also written
and/or produced songs for Alex Bugnon, Terrell Carter, Christian Keyes, Chandra
Currelley, and Melvin Miller.