 “I
just love what I do. Not only is it a job, but it’s
fun. I can’t imagine being in any other business. You
always have to be happy and passionate about what you do. Making
music is it for me.”
SmoothViews is continuing its focus on the
Chicago music scene by featuring yet another notable from the
Windy City. This
time we have keyboardist, arranger, writer, producer and vocalist,
Mike Logan. Known most recently for touring with
Brian Culbertson, Mike has been serving up vocals and piano
for a long time and for a lot of heavy hitters in the industry.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, but raised in Chicago, Mike was
immersed in music from a very young age, and exposed to it
by various family members. “My mother was a singer. My
grandmother sang, played piano and violin. And my great-grandmother
had a band that my grandmother played in! According to
my Mom, I started playing piano when I was three or four. She
said I was trying to make chords on the piano. When I
asked her if she was sure that was me, she reminded me that
I was an only child, so she was pretty sure!”
Mike took his first formal piano lessons from Betty Pierce
who taught music at the same school where his Dad taught French
and English. In addition to playing the piano, Mike was
self-taught on the guitar. During his first few professional
gigs, Mike was playing guitar for the Staple Singers. Then
one day the piano player didn’t show up. “We
were in Pop’s (Staples) studio, and I said I would play
piano for the rehearsal. So I played and after that
he said he wanted me to play keyboards from then on. I
had just put somebody out of a job!”
 Playing with the Staple Singers was where Mike got his initial
taste of a live audience, but he cut his performing teeth in
his parents’ living room. “My parents were
like the Dick Van Dyke show. They’d have friends
and family over for parties, and everyone would have to perform
something. You could sing, dance or play an instrument. That
was my first experience, and it got all the butterflies out
of me early on. I was the house musician. But when
I played live with the Staple Singers, I began to wonder how
I got there.”
Influenced by Oscar Peterson, George Duke and Herbie Hancock,
Mike’s foundation with the Staple Singers, Gene Chandler
and The Emotions led to co-writing a hit single for Gerald
Albright in the mid-80s. He also penned, produced and
performed the soundtracks for three motion pictures by Fred
Williamson. If this weren’t enough, his resume
also includes working for ten years with Ramsey Lewis, and
as musical director for Phil Perry. In the most recent
years, Mike has been recording with Nick Colionne, and performing
with the likes of Kirk Whalum, Steve Cole, Will Downing, Gerald
Albright, Patti Austin, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Peter
White, Chieli Minucci, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber and Jeff
Golub. Whew! This man gets around.
What does he do in his spare time when there
is a free minute? “More
music!” notes Mike. “I can usually be found
listening to or playing music.” He also works with
his 14-year-old son who has taken up drums and recently joined
Mike and his mom on stage at a local Chicago club. And
coming up – fishing with buddy Nick Colionne. But
before that, Mike gets to fulfill one of his dreams of a lifetime
and play onstage with George Duke.
So, when you hit the Chicago music scene, or any one of the
many jazz festivals around the country, be sure to check out
the man behind the keyboard. With the numerous people
he continues to arrange, write and perform with, it’s
very likely that you will see Mike Logan.
- Bonnie Schendell
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