A vocal virtuoso, composer, and arranger, Michael Mayo fuses jazz, soul, R&B, and hip-hop into a singular, innovative sound. A graduate of the renowned Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (now the Herbie Hancock Institute), he was only the third vocalist accepted in its 20-year history.
His 2021 debut Bones earned widespread acclaim including a 4-star review by Jazzwise, and his 2024 release Fly earned a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and a Best Jazz Performance nomination for the track titled “Four.”
Raised in Los Angeles by distinguished musicians—his mother sang with Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross, and his father played saxophone for Earth, Wind & Fire—Mayo grew up immersed in music. Known for his breathtaking technique and creativity, he has performed with Herbie Hancock, Ben Wendel, Kneebody, Gretchen Parlato, and Becca Stevens.
