Mike Hope's Jazzmahoot

Mike studied music at Leeds University and won a year’s placement at the University of North Texas. In 1996 he won the Northern Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition and a place in the London finals. At about this time he began to write for his own band - Mike Hope’s Jazzmahoot – and also began working the northern big band circuit. Following a tour with Louis Hoover, Mike played his first few dates with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra which led to four years work on the show "The Rat Pack" including a West End run at the Haymarket and Savoy theatres. The highlight of this time came when he was asked to play at the Olivier awards accompanying Kevin Spacey as he sang "I’ve Got a Crush On You" to Judi Dench. In more recent years Mike has worked with Jack Jones, Matt Monroe Junior, John Wilson and the Halle Orchestra, he is also a member of the Empress Orchestra which plays for the British and World Dance Championships. As a jazz musician Mike has performed with Jack Sheldon, Bobby Wellins, Julian Joseph, Phil Woods, Bobby Shew and Julian Arguelles and currently has three diverse CD’s to his name. He joined the Syd Lawrence Orchestra as first tenor in October 2006 and plays for many small bands around the North west.