MIKE GRIOT!

Raised in Orange, NJ MIKE GRIOT(pronounced “gree-oh”) grew up musically bombarded by many influences. A snap decision at age 8 started him on classical cello; this turned quickly into regular recitals and concerts by age 9 throughout NJ. As a teenager, he listened intently to records by the Isleys, Chicago, Parliament and Earth Wind & Fire.
A 7th chair All-New Jersey cellist by age 13, GRIOT formed a neighborhood funk band, and began what would become a career-long vocation as a musical director. By high school graduation, he was playing tuba in the concert band, trombone and electric bass in the stage band, and sousaphone in the marching band.

GRIOT’s professional career as a working musician began in college at Howard University, and he quickly found himself an “in-demand” live & session musician in the
DC area. Now a full-time “bassist-student”, GRIOT began performing and touring while completing his undergraduate studies. He also reinvested his earnings by booking studio time, and learning computer-based production. Before graduating from Howard, he had built a small recording facility, managed & booked his now popular band four times a week, and produced a rap act with a video on MTV.

After graduation, GRIOT returned to Jersey and expanded even further…eventually signing a publishing deal with MOTOWN RECORDS, and beginning his production company – PWI ENTERTAINMENT. The work did not slow down, however; his credits include a who’s who of extraordinary artists:

COMMON/CARTER BEAUFORD (Dave Mathews Band)/RUSSELL GUNN/GURU OF GANGSTARR/HAROLD MELVIN/OMAR (LYEFOOKE)/INDIA ARIE/RACHELLE FARRELL/DIONNE FARRIS/LAURYN HILL/MICHAEL HILL/LYNETTE HAWKINS/STACY LATTISAW/TABI BONNEY/N’DEA DAVENPORT/BOBBI HUMPHREY/BILAL/ANGIE STONE/MTUME

MIKE GRIOT has done major sound design & foley work for BELIEFNET NETWORK (www.beliefnet.com), and currently is a staff producer/bassist for the German blues label RUF (www.rufrecords.de). Like his idol Quincy Jones, this renaissance musician/producer moves through the industry sharing great moments, working along side great talents, and making great music!