Musician and composer Michael Landau was born and raised in Los Angeles. In his early teens, Michael quickly became very interested in jazz and electric jazz music. Weather Report, Pat Martino and Jaco Pastorius were some of his early obsessions. From this diverse blend of influence, his sound and path began to take shape.
At age 19, Michael joined Boz Scaggs for a world tour and by the age of 20 he started to do session work on the recommendation of long time friend Steve Lukather. Session highlights over the coming years would include Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, BB King, James Taylor, Ray Charles and Rod Stewart. In 1984, Michael toured and recorded with Joni Mitchell for her "The Refuge Of The Roads" tour. The band featured Vinnie Colaiuta, Larry Klein and Russell Ferrante. In 1989, he released his first solo album "Tales from the Bulge", an instrumental record initially released in Japan and on Creatchy records in the US. Wayne Shorter, with Steve Tavaglione, Vinnie Colaiuta, Carlos Vega, Steve Lukather and Jimmy Johnson featured on the release. His most recent album, "The Michael Landau Group Live" was released in October '06 on Tone Center Records, and highlights his latest creations - solid, raw and most importantly LIVE.
Michael currently tours and performs with his own group, "The Michael Landau Group" as well as a new band with Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip and Gary Novak called "Renegade Creation." He can also be seen live with: Hazey Jane, Kirk Fletcher, The Jazz Ministry, Stolen Fish, Michelle Branch and James Taylor. He has produced and/or mixed some selected artists and side projects including: Scott Henderson, The Jazz Ministry, Kirk Fletcher, Hazey Jane, The Dusty Meadows Band and Stolen Fish. Michael's current heroes and influences are Kirk Fletcher, Dustin Boyer and Derek Trucks. He likes sandwiches, old things, the earth, playing music and spending time with his beautiful wife. To find out more about Michael, please visit his website at www.mikelandau.com
