Musician Gets a Lucky Break From His Skateboard

A music critic once commented on Michael Powers’ musical talents, saying “There are two types of people. Those who love Michael Powers’ music and those who have not heard it yet.”

Michael Powers was born in New York City and raised in San Francisco. His musical career started by accident — literally. “I fell off a skateboard and broke my wrist,” said Michael. “It took an inordinate amount of time to heal and by that time my muscles had atrophied. I had been watching a biography on Jimi Hendrix and decided I wanted to learn to play the guitar. When I asked my doctor, he agreed, saying it would be good therapy for my wrist.”

Following high school, he moved with his mother to Seattle. “I practiced guitar like a demon, and got my first professional gig playing with bands in lounges and steak houses without really knowing how to read or write music. At some point, I realized that would hold me back, so I took some time off to attend Cornish College of the Arts.” Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1983 with a B.A. in Jazz Performance and Composition, and in only two years, was supporting himself solely as a jazz and blues musician.

Over the years, Michael has shared billings with piano great Herbie Hancock, the legendary Ray Charles, and R&B stars Gladys Knight and the Pips. The cities he’s played in read like a travelogue, and include Paris, Zurich, Tokyo, Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Chicago, and Cancun. But it’s West Seattle that he calls home.

To listen to some samples of Michael's music or purchase one of his CDs, visit his website at http://www.michaelpowersmusic.com.