Michael James Thompson has over 20 years of experience as a working musician. This experience combines: Private drum instruction, live performance, studio work, and collaborating on original material with fellow musicians. He studied under two excellent drummers from the Detroit Metro area: Darryl Pierce and Donny Gruendler.
His former teacher Darryl Pierce (among many other accomplishments) currently tours internationally and nationally with a well-known artist by the name of Bettye LaVette. This group has made frequent television appearances, including: David Letterman and Austin City Limits. And his first teacher Donny Gruendler is a PhD level music educator, the Vice President of Education at Guitar Center; and he has been featured in several Modern Drummer publications.
Michael has supported notable national acts, including: The Headhunters (Herbie Hancock), Melvin Seals, Mofro, and Strange Folk. He has also recorded at excellent Metropolitan Detroit area studios, including: Studio N Armada, Riff Lab Studios, Woodshed Studios, and The Disc. He also feels very fortunate to have performed at many of the top venues in the greater Metropolitan Detroit area, including: The Magic Bag, The Magic Stick, The Majestic Theater, Fifth Avenue Comerica Park, Smalls, Bert’s Marketplace, The Cadieux Café, Alvin’s, The Old Miami, The Music Menu, The Detroit Art Festival, and The Dally in the Alley.
He has been blessed with great musical experiences in the Detroit area, and has been a member of solid Metropolitan Detroit bands, including: Friends of the Family, Nightrain, Mojo Stu, and The Mobius Loop. In recent years, he has been involved in interesting recording projects, with producer Dan Lesnick, and with a group called The Nova Junction. Presently, Michael is a member of several groups: Electric Temple, Ginja Ninja, and Los Culos. All three groups are actively writing original songs, with plans to perform live, in the near future.
Michael offers a very structured lesson, and he is accepting students for remote drum lessons. He has learned a great deal through private instruction, and therefore teaches from direct experience. He utilizes and applies many of the techniques that were beneficial; in his personal experience. He is also experienced with recording endeavors, and therefore interested in session work. References from teachers, students, and band mates can be provided on request.