Biography

Mike’s passion for guitar began at the age of nine. His training was initiated by such notable teachers as Bobby Edwards, Adrian Pellew, and Warren Greig and has also studied with acclaimed vocal instructor Bill Vincent. Numerous performances have allowed Mike to gain experience encompassing a broad spectrum of musical genres, which in turn, has contributed to his multifaceted approach. His skill as a jazz musician was firmly established at York University under the direction of John Gittens, Phil Dwyer, and Lorne Lofsky where he received degrees in both Fine Arts and Education. Mike also studied jazz arranging and composition with Professor David Mott and composer/trombonist Terry Promane before composing the musical score to “Relative Motion,” a short, independent film by Maria S. Abbruzzese. Mike has completed a Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition at York University, composing in the modern Jazz Orchestra idiom and is currently pursuing his PhD in Ethnomusicology at York in Jazz Studies. In addition, he has presented his research at various conferences including the Canadian University Music Society and the Harvard Graduate Music Forum Conference.

Mike Cadó is also an active music educator who has taught both privately and in the public sector. Several of his students have performed at venues throughout Toronto including the Ford Centre for Performing Arts, Burton Auditorium, The Rex, The Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival and Mel Lastman’s Square. Mike continues his teaching career as a current faculty member at York University where he teaches composition, several jazz workshops, directs the York University Jazz Orchestra, as well as, guitar lessons, musicianship and various music education courses in the Faculty of Education.

Mike Cadó has performed in various musical settings throughout Toronto for quite some time. He has acted as leader, as well as, sideman at such venues including the Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival from 1996 to 1999, the Beaches International Jazz Festival from 1995 to 1998, the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Markham Jazz Festival, Port Hope Jazz Festival, The Sound of Toronto Concert Series at the Ontario Science Centre, The Montreal Bistro, The Pilot Tavern, Quigley’s, The Black Swan, Chicago’s Diner, The Bamboo, and Roy Thomson Hall to mention a few. Mike also leads the group MC & Company, a versatile musical ensemble catering to both private and corporate functions and has recently produced a recording with jazz vocalist Sherie Marshall entitled The Sweetest Sounds that features Pat Collins, Guido Basso and various other jazz notables. The Mike Cadó Tentet features a collection of Toronto’s finest musicians that performs the music of Phil Nimmons, as well as compositions by various group members. The ensemble’s critically acclaimed debut recording, entitled Nimmons ‘n’ Nine...Now, was released in October, 2008. The host of numerous jazz, blues, and rock jams across the city, his technical ability, as well as, versatility have afforded Mike the honour of performing with such distinguished musicians as Alan Henderson, Conrad Maynard, Don Thompson, Chase Sanborn, Barry Romberg, and David Mott. His influences include Ed Bickert, Howard Roberts, Oscar Peterson, George Benson, Stan Getz, Eric Clapton and B.B. King.