Mike Field

Biography
Press

Born and raised in Toronto, jazz trumpeter and composer Mike Field is gaining a reputation for his bright, upbeat and energetic music both at home and in places as far off as New Zealand and Europe. His work has been nominated for two Independent Music Awards (IMAs), including Best Jazz Instrumental Song and Best Jazz Song with Vocals.

Mike writes his music either when he's traveling around the world or when he's ensconced in Toronto’s urban lifestyle, and his melodies are dynamic and exciting. In his second solo album, Rush Mode (released in October 2013), he and his quintet bring to life these musical ideas in nine, compact and energetic tracks. And since learning languages and traveling to all the continents has always been a part of Mike’s life, the titles of his songs often reflect movement and cultures – such as Missing in Paris, Streets of Santa Monica or the Latin-flavoured tune, El sótano. He performs his music at jazz festivals, societies and clubs internationally, including New Zealand, Europe, North America and Antarctica.

Mike began playing the trumpet at the age of 10 and studied privately with classical performers in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He switched to jazz unexpectedly when he happened to move to New York City on the early morning of September 11, 2001. There, he entered the Masters of Jazz Performance program at New York University and began composing upon returning to Toronto in 2003. By 2007, he was performing with several local jazz, reggae, funk and experimental bands, finally forming his own jazz quintet in 2009 and releasing his debut solo album, Ashes, two years later. Mike writes his music on acoustic guitar and performs in Toronto with Paul Metcalfe on sax, Carlie Howell on bass, Teri Parker on piano and Dave Chan on drums.