Michael Mayo

Vocal jazz ensembles are musical groups that exist almost entirely in schools. Professional vocal jazz groups are rare, yet this tradition of close harmonies and vocal improvisation remains a mainstay in many high schools and universities. But why? Where does it lead?

Michael Mayo’s music answers these questions. Having studied jazz and classical voice while being influenced by the Beach Boys, Brandy, and Busta Rhymes, Mayo uses his voice as a vehicle to incorporate technology, elevating his musical palette and creating something unique. At the root of his work, you’ll find close harmonies and vocal improvisation, representing the logical transformation of vocal jazz into modern, relevant songwriting. His residency will include a masterclass for the MIT Music Department, a visit to a songwriting or improvisation class, and a performance with the MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Michael Mayo’s residency is supported by the MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology and co-presented with the MIT Music and Theater Arts.

Laura Grill Jaye is the Director of the MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Founded by MacArthur Fellowship and Pulitzer Prize winner John Harbison, the VJE torch was passed to Jaye in 2017. Jaye loves to work in all stages of music making and is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, improviser, collaborator, performer, and educator.

Biography: MIT Music and Theater Arts
Website: lauragrilljaye.com
Social: Instagram | Spotify

The MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE) was founded by Institute Professor John Harbison in the spring of 2011 as the first and only vocal jazz performance group at the Institute. Boston-based vocalist-arranger-composer Laura Grill Jaye is the current director and coach of VJE, which has quickly risen to high recognition not only on campus but throughout Boston. 

Website: MIT Music and Theater Arts

Whether Michael Mayo is performing with his band, as a guest, or alone with a looper pedal and a piano, the LA native’s commanding and other worldly vocalese has been gathering critical and commercial acclaim around the globe. Mayo attended the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (now the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), only the third vocalist to be accepted into the 20-year-old program, where he learned from the likes of Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. Mayo, a veteran international performer, has been a featured vocalist at the White House, the Kennedy Center, and Renée Fleming’s American Voices Festival, while his own band has performed at The Hollywood Bowl, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The London Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival among many others. Most recently he has recorded and performed with Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Scary Pockets, Lenny Kravitz, Josh Groban, and The War and Treaty. Signed to Mack Avenue/Artistry Records, Mayo’s debut record BONES, produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Eli Wolf (Norah Jones, Al Green, The Roots) was released in 2021. In 2022, Mayo was named “International Artist of the Year” at the Deutscher Jazzpreis (German Jazz Prize), Mayo’s sophomore album FLY (2024) features an exceptional lineup, including pianist Shai Maestro, bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Nate Smith, released on Mack Avenue Records.

Website: michaelmayomusic.com
Social: Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | Spotify

“Mayo’s vocals emanate a dreamy rich savor to the tune, along with a tight avant-garde relish” – The Huffington Post

“Michael Mayo has developed his own seamless and lush sound and on his solo debut full-length, Bones, he showcases this idiosyncratic blend of alternative and neo-soul.” – Jazziz

“Without a doubt the best young male jazz singer in Los Angeles” – LA Weekly