Mike Rak
Mike Rak, nominated as best jazz instrumentalist in the first annual Columbus Music Awards, is a multi-talented instrumentalist who began playing trumpet at age 11 in his school concert band. When the band needed a tuba player for competitions a year later, he took up that instrument for three years. And when the shool formed a jazz band and needed a bass player, he filled that slot as well. Shortly thereafter, he began to play guitar, and during his junior year at New Albany High School, he taught himself to play euphonium as well!
Mike won numerous awards for his high school musicianship, including the award for the school's most valuable jazz player. Based on these accomplishments, he matriculated at OSU to continue his musical studies. He took courses in music theory, history, ear training, and arranging, and he studied bass with Paul Robinson and Roger Hines. Mike played with the award-winning OSU Jazz Ensemble, performing at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, the Tri-C Jazz Festival, and the Mexico City International Jazz Festival. Mike's outstanding musical accomplishments at OSU were recognized when he was awarded the Tom Battenberg Jazz Scholarship.
Mike's major influences on bass include Jaco Patorius, John Patitucci, Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, and Stuart Hamm. Thus, his bass playing mixes the light touch and technical wizardry of contemporary jazz players with the high energy and aggressive pulsing of the most exciting rockers. Mike has appeared in concert with Ernie Watts, Richard Stoltzman, Greg Bissonette, John Faddis, and Bob Mintzer. Mike is currently teaching privately and has gigged with various groups in the Columbus area, including Group LA, Gene Walker's Generation, Midnight Magic, and the Michael Rak Trio.
Mike won numerous awards for his high school musicianship, including the award for the school's most valuable jazz player. Based on these accomplishments, he matriculated at OSU to continue his musical studies. He took courses in music theory, history, ear training, and arranging, and he studied bass with Paul Robinson and Roger Hines. Mike played with the award-winning OSU Jazz Ensemble, performing at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, the Tri-C Jazz Festival, and the Mexico City International Jazz Festival. Mike's outstanding musical accomplishments at OSU were recognized when he was awarded the Tom Battenberg Jazz Scholarship.
Mike's major influences on bass include Jaco Patorius, John Patitucci, Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, and Stuart Hamm. Thus, his bass playing mixes the light touch and technical wizardry of contemporary jazz players with the high energy and aggressive pulsing of the most exciting rockers. Mike has appeared in concert with Ernie Watts, Richard Stoltzman, Greg Bissonette, John Faddis, and Bob Mintzer. Mike is currently teaching privately and has gigged with various groups in the Columbus area, including Group LA, Gene Walker's Generation, Midnight Magic, and the Michael Rak Trio.
