Michael Ghegan

Michael Ghegan is a saxophonist, keyboardist, vocalist, arranger, and producer whose musical identity defies easy categorization. What ties it all together is a soulful, deeply expressive sound that’s entirely his own. Over the course of his career, he has performed in rooms as intimate as a private White House engagement and stages as massive as arena tours with Aerosmith, with countless stops in between: festival crowds, concert halls, and club stages across Finland, Tokyo, South Africa, Russia, and beyond. His résumé of collaborators reads like a highlight reel — Elton John, The Allman Brothers, Jamiroquai, and a stretch of internationally recognized artists that spans every corner of popular and jazz music.

Ghegan’s self-titled debut album puts his full range on display. Every track was written, arranged, and largely performed by Ghegan himself — handling saxophones, keyboards, drum programming, acoustic and electric guitar, and flute across a collection of originals that move from the energetic to the quietly devastating. The record features guest appearances from award-winning pianist Keiko Matsui, drummer Michael Bland (Prince), and bassist Mel Brown (Marc Anthony), and includes “If Fortune Lied,” a piece written in memory of a friend lost on September 11.

Beyond performing, Ghegan has served as musical director for Comedy Central’s The Chris Wylde Show, toured globally as a keyboardist and saxophone soloist with Cirque Du Soleil’s arena production of Saltimbanco, and held featured roles alongside Justin Timberlake, Michael Bolton, Colin Hay, and Keiko Matsui. His production company, Bluetone Productions, has placed original music and sound design in films and on television programs including Ellen, TMZ, Entertainment Tonight, and The Bachelor. He holds degrees in education and jazz performance from the Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, and brings that same depth to his teaching at every level. When he’s off the clock, he’s probably surfing.