Rochester-born trumpeter and composer Mike Cottone developed a love for music at a very young age. After being given a trumpet at the age of 10, it was clear where his love for music would be channeled. In high school, he began to explore the world of jazz thanks to his band director, Mr. Daniel McMurray. Mike was exposed to recordings of trumpet greats such as Louis Armstrong, Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, and Roy Hargrove. Thanks to McMurray's guidance and inspiration, he began to develop his own soulful sound and passion for jazz.

 Mike has since received degrees from The Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School in jazz trumpet and music education. Mike has performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Broadway production of "HAIR," Dizzy's Club Coca Cola with his own band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha with the Ulysses Owens Group, Smalls Jazz Club with Lawrence Leathers, the Blue Note's Emerging Artist Series, Paul Anka, Philip Bailey, Everette Harp, and Rick Braun. Mike has also led tours for Juilliard Jazz to Colombia, South America, performed as a guest artist onboard the Queen Mary 2, and was recently a Juilliard Jazz faculty member for the Snow College Summer Jazz Camp.

 Now a full time resident of California, Mike is actively performing and teaching throughout the Los Angeles area. Mike has appeared with Tony Royster Jr., Carl Allen, Bob Sheppard, John Beasley, Ralph Moore, Henry Franklin Sr., and recorded with Ziggy Marley. Mike is currently studying and performing with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz under the direction of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. 

Photo by Frank Stewart