Art & Song: Lorin Benedict & Mike Mitchell

Lorin's bio: Lorin Benedict is an improvising vocalist (scat singer, essentially) who works in the areas of jazz and related music. He co-leads several small groups dedicated to playing highly structured music in a manifestly loose and playful way. This includes the duo Bleeding Vector, the trio The Holly Martins, and duo projects with drummer Sam Ospovat, vocalist Ron Heglin, and bass player Logan Kane. He has also, over the past two decades, appeared as a side-man in groups led by musicians such as Howard Wiley and Sheldon Brown, among many others.

 

Mike's bio: Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Michael Mitchell has been behind the drums since the age of 8. Michael began studying with NYC session-drummers Mike Mechem and Geoff Clapp, and with their help, started playing professionally at the age of 13, in and around the New York City area. After earning a Bachelor's degree in performance from the Manhattan School of Music, a transplant to Oakland afforded Michael the opportunity to continue learning and teaching, and to build an even stronger bi-coastal musical community of students, educators, and professional players.