PREVIOUS GUESTS

MICHAEL CATES

I was born in Somerville, NJ, and raised in Plainfield. Plainfield was the location of my musical genesis. I grew up in the church there, and was exposed to all of the cultural elements of jazz, gospel and soul. When I got a little older maybe 14, I heard that George Clinton owned a barber shop there at 217 Plainfield Ave, about 5 blocks west of our church. The Funkadelics were an early part of the journey for me and I met many of the members having grown up in that city.

My mother was a famous child actress and singer in her time, and I know that’s where that side of my life originated from. As I got older I came to realize just how much she had accomplished and gave up to have me.

I worked in several agencies and began making a living, along with session work that came in weekly from an R and B producer named Paul Keyser. Paul got me my start and my early career flourished under his mentorship. I’ve been lucky and fortunate to record with many Grammy winning artists and producers because Paul put me out there.

Michael Cates, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, Actor. Born in New Jersey, Michael Cates began playing the saxophone at the age of eight. He quickly realized the saxophone would be his instrument of choice after seeing his favorite tv actor with a horn around his neck. Michael’s early sax years were spent playing in the local clubs along the famous Jersey shore and being a sideman in various NY and LA studios. During that time, Cates released two instrumental solo albums. After traveling between the two coasts, Michael decided to make LA his home.

The move to CA was a career defining moment. Cates has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild for over 25 years. He played the part of the saxophone player on the David E. Kelley Production hit TV series, “Ally McBeal” for five seasons, from 1999 until its final episode. He has also been in various other TV shows and national TV commercials.

He has performed with and shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Joe Sample, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Tommy Mars, Jon Gilutin and many more He has performed at venues including BB King NY, The Newport Beach Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Stone Pony, Spaghettini, Catalina Club, Little Rock Jazz Festival, The Rose Bowl and on countless stages across the US and Europe. Cates third solo album release was with the CMG label located in Glendale, CA.

Michael’s latest singles have been on the contemporary jazz charts for the past three years and he has been recognized worldwide for his talented musicianship, and his innovative sound and creativity as a composer, which lends to his philosophy, “don’t follow others, follow your heart”.

“Get on it,” a Greg Manning production, is the latest single from saxophonist Michael Cates, and is the follow up to the hit single “New Lives” which received international airplay and landed on Spotify’s prestigious “New Smooth Jazz” playlist upon its release. Cates co-wrote the track with Manning and the end result will speak for itself. Michael Cates, the multi-talented artist known for his prowess on the saxophone and his captivating performances, has graced us with his latest single, “Get On It.” Collaborating with the likes of Randy Jacobs and Greg Manning, Cates delivers a melodic masterpiece that effortlessly blends authenticity with instrumental charm.

With over three decades of experience and impressive delivery, Cates brings a wealth of expertise. His performance on “Get On It” is nothing short of mesmerizing, weaving together heartfelt melodies and captivating rhythms that transport listeners to a realm of musical bliss.

I was born in Somerville, NJ, and raised in Plainfield. Plainfield was the location of my musical genesis. I grew up in the church there, and was exposed to all of the cultural elements of jazz, gospel and soul. When I got a little older maybe 14, I heard that George Clinton owned a barber shop there at 217 Plainfield Ave, about 5 blocks west of our church. The Funkadelics were an early part of the journey for me and I met many of the members having grown up in that city. My mother was a famous child actress and singer in her time, and I know that’s where that side of my life originated from. As I got older I came to realize just how much she had accomplished and gave up to have me. I worked in several agencies and began making a living, along with session work that came in weekly from an R and B producer named Paul Keyser. Paul got me my start and my early career flourished under his mentorship. I’ve been lucky and fortunate to record with many Grammy winning artists and producers because Paul put me out there. Michael Cates, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, Actor. Born in New Jersey, Michael Cates began playing the saxophone at the age of eight. He quickly realized the saxophone would be his instrument of choice after seeing his favorite tv actor with a horn around his neck. Michael’s early sax years were spent playing in the local clubs along the famous Jersey shore and being a sideman in various NY and LA studios. During that time, Cates released two instrumental solo albums. After traveling between the two coasts, Michael decided to make LA his home. The move to CA was a career defining moment. Cates has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild for over 25 years. He played the part of the saxophone player on the David E. Kelley Production hit TV series, “Ally McBeal” for five seasons, from 1999 until its final episode. He has also been in various other TV shows and national TV commercials. He has performed with and shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Joe Sample, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Tommy Mars, Jon Gilutin and many more He has performed at venues including BB King NY, The Newport Beach Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Stone Pony, Spaghettini, Catalina Club, Little Rock Jazz Festival, The Rose Bowl and on countless stages across the US and Europe. Cates third solo album release was with the CMG label located in Glendale, CA. Michael’s latest singles have been on the contemporary jazz charts for the past three years and he has been recognized worldwide for his talented musicianship, and his innovative sound and creativity as a composer, which lends to his philosophy, “don’t follow others, follow your heart”. “Get on it,” a Greg Manning production, is the latest single from saxophonist Michael Cates, and is the follow up to the hit single “New Lives” which received international airplay and landed on Spotify’s prestigious “New Smooth Jazz” playlist upon its release. Cates co-wrote the track with Manning and the end result will speak for itself. Michael Cates, the multi-talented artist known for his prowess on the saxophone and his captivating performances, has graced us with his latest single, “Get On It.” Collaborating with the likes of Randy Jacobs and Greg Manning, Cates delivers a melodic masterpiece that effortlessly blends authenticity with instrumental charm. With over three decades of experience and impressive delivery, Cates brings a wealth of expertise. His performance on “Get On It” is nothing short of mesmerizing, weaving together heartfelt melodies and captivating rhythms that transport listeners to a realm of musical bliss.