CHARGED PARTICLES: Jazz with a spark!
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    • Second CD: "Sparks" >
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    • Live at the Baked Potato! >
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    • Orchestra Collaborations >
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      • Nguyen Le
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    • From the Fans
  • Stage Plot
  • Contact Us
  • Links to Other Artists
  • Home
  • Biography of the Band
  • Biographies of the Players
    • Murray Low
    • Aaron Germain
    • Jon Krosnick >
      • Lunar Octet
      • State of Mind
      • Jon Krosnick Quintet
      • Pangaea
      • Silver Sax
      • The Ferric Fang Quartet and Brasswind
      • The New Jazz Sextet II
      • The New Jazz Sextet I
      • Jon Krosnick Trio 2019 NYC
      • Other Bands
    • CP III Special Guests
  • Performance Schedule
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • Past Performances
  • Performance Projects
    • With Saxophonist Paul McCandless
    • Celebrating Michael Brecker, with Tod Dickow
    • Celebrating John Coltrane
    • With Vocalist Rocío Guitard
    • Educational Workshops >
      • Workshops for Students
      • Example Workshop for Younger Children
      • Example Workshop for Older Children
      • Guide for Teachers
      • Educational Philosophy
      • Residencies and Master Classes
      • Concerts for Seniors
      • The Business of Jazz
    • Orchestra Collaborations >
      • Project Overview
      • Reviews
      • Listen to Studio Recordings
      • Listen to Live Concert Performance
      • The Arranger: Jerry Depuit
      • Posters and Programs for Orchestra Appearances
      • Buy a Recording
  • Videos and Audio
    • Watch CP
    • Listen to CP
  • Recognition and Publicity
    • Press Coverage
    • Reviews by Presenters
    • Posters
    • Radio Station Airplay
    • Murray Low at SF Jazz Center
  • Photos
    • Photos of CP
    • High Res Photos for Publication
    • High Res Paul McCandless Photos
    • High Res Brecker Tribute Photos
    • On Tour with Paul McCandless
    • Randy Brecker Photos
  • CDs
    • First CD: "Charged Particles" >
      • Charged Particles Track List
      • Liner Notes
      • Reviews
      • Listen to "Charged Particles"
      • Buy "Charged Particles"
    • Second CD: "Sparks" >
      • Sparks Track List
      • Liner Notes
      • Reviews
      • Listen to "Sparks"
      • Buy "Sparks"
    • Live at the Baked Potato! >
      • Live at the Baked Potato!
      • Liner Notes - Live at the Baked Potato!
      • Press Coverage - Live at the Baked Potato!
      • Radio Airplay - Live at the Baked Potato!
    • Orchestra Collaborations >
      • Project Overview
      • Listen to Studio Recordings
      • The Arranger: Jerry Depuit
      • Buy a Recording
    • Columbus Collection
    • The Turnaround - Vol. 1
  • History
    • Appearances w/ Guest Artists >
      • Nguyen Le
      • Peter Erskine
      • Kevyn Lettau
      • Barry Finnerty
      • Dennis Chambers
      • Doc Gibbs
      • David Garfield
      • Dewa Budjana
      • Other Guest Vocalists
      • Emerging Artists
    • Alumni >
      • CP I Alumni >
        • CP I Photos
        • Alumni: Caleb Hutslar
        • Alumni: Mike Rak
        • Alumni: Ron Hope
        • Alumni: Jim Maneri
      • CP II Alumni >
        • CP II Photos
        • Alumni: Kim Pensyl
        • Alumni: Andy Woodson
      • CP III Alumni
    • From the Fans
  • Stage Plot
  • Contact Us
  • Links to Other Artists
CHARGED PARTICLES: Jazz with a spark!

Mike Rak

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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.