Mike Mele

Biography
Articles

Guitarist Mike Mele graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1990 (Cum Laude), where he studied with John Damian and Al Defino. He also studied with the distinguished music educationalist Charles Banacos. Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, George Harrison, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery are some of the artists that have most influenced Mike’s melodious style and approach.

Mike has spent the last twenty-five years performing with many jazz and blues greats, including Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Tony Monaco, Bill Pierce, Joe Hunt, Barry Ries, Marty Rowen, Melvin Sparks, and Myanna. Mike is a member of the Ken Clark Organ Trio, and as such recorded the albums Eternal Funk and Mutual Respect for the distinguished Severn Records label.

Mike is also a long-standing member of Michelle Wilson’s Evil Gal Festival Orchestra, whom he toured with throughout North America and Europe, and released the critically acclaimed album Wake-Up Call for Rounder Records. Mike is also a prominent educator, and has taught guitar lessons through The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts for over sixteen years.

Mike Mele: Guitarist, Composer and Educator

by Doug Hall
February 20, 2024

On this show, we chat with guitarist Mike Mele, a graduate from Berklee College of Music in 1990 (Cum Laude). Mele is a prominent educator, and has taught guitar lessons through The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts for over twenty-five years. He has also taught at Berklee College of Music, Tufts University, Sharon Music Academy, Bentley College, and currently is a music teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy. He spent the last thirty years performing with many ...