Mike Vax is an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and educator who is well-known in the world of jazz. He is closely associated with many great bands including The Dukes of Dixieland, the Great American Jazz Band, The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, and more. In this article, we will share some information about Mike Vax’s bio, creative journey, and his contribution to the jazz legacy.
Brief Biography and Music Career
Mike Vax was born in Oakland, California. He formed his first groups while studying at Oakland High School and the University of the Pacific. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in music, he joined the U.S. Navy Show Band with whom he completed three tours of South America. At the end of his navy tour, he had the opportunity to audition for the Stan Kenton band. He performed with Kenton as first trumpet and soloist for two years, from 1970 to 1972. He also worked there as a road manager and a co-leader while Mr. Kenton was recovering from surgery. After their collaboration ended, Mike established his own band. He traveled extensively and even spent a week at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, where he recorded his first album as a leader. Some time later, he became the full-time leader of the traditional jazz band the Dukes of Dixieland.
One of the key groups he has performed with is the Great American Jazz Band known for playing the tunes of the late 1800s. They play alongside many legendary musicians such as Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Bob Haggart, Henry Cuesta, Clark Terry, and the big bands of Glenn Miller. Their music was known for having no limits while featuring a distinct swinging jazz feel.
As a guest lead trumpeter and soloist, Mike Vax toured with symphony orchestras across the United States and other parts of the world, including Europe, Scandinavia, South America, and Japan, promoting jazz music to a wider audience. Vax has appeared as a featured soloist at many well-known jazz festivals.
Mike Vax Legacy and Collaborations
Vax has a rich recording legacy, being featured on more than 75 albums, with 20 under his own name. He is the founder and Chairman of the nonprofit corporation Board of Friends of Big Band Jazz. The foundation actively supports jazz camps, various jazz programs in schools, as well as help musicians in need.
Mike works with Summit Records and is an International Artist for the Getzen Musical Instrument Company. He performs and records in various styles, including jazz, swing, and big band jazz collaborating with many musicians such as Al Grey, Freddie Hubbard, Art Pepper, Gene Krupa, Anita O’Day, June Christy, Cab Calloway, John Handy, Don Ellis, Don Jacoby, Louie Bellson, Joe Williams, Barbara McNair, the Four Freshmen, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, and more. He stands out thanks to his clear, powerful lead sound and an expressive solo style rooted in the big band tradition. His playing features a lyrical approach that immediately catches the listener’s ear in any ensemble.
These days, he lives in Northern Arizona and continues to work with several of his own groups:
- The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra: Their repertoire features nostalgia-type music, new material written in the Kenton style, and original songs written by members of the Band.
- Mike Vax and his Music Groups: They have been performing their own brand of jazz and swing music for over 50 years. Their repertoire features a strong swinging feel, with tunes from the early 20th century and modern days.
- TRPTS (Trumpets): The band was established in the mid-1980s by Mike Vax as a trumpet version of the popular tribute band Supersax.
- The Mike Vax-Ron Romm Collaboration: Two musicians met back in the early 1970s and released their first album “Collaboration” in 2017.
He also continues to play with The Great American Jazz Band.
Workshops and Clinics
In addition to his active touring and recording, Mike regularly holds workshops for students in high schools, colleges, and universities around the globe. He is an international performing artist for the Warburton Instrument Company. By interacting with Mike through school performances and clinics, aspiring players can get inspired by his approach and get deeper into the process of making music. Mike also wrote articles for magazines devoted to music, such as: The Brass Herald, The Instrumentalist, The ITG Journal, the Texas Jazz Educators Journal, and more.
Collaboration with KGUmusic
While Vax is known for performing exclusively on Getzen trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns, he also owns the instrument handcrafted by the KGUmusic company — the Mike Vax Signature Trumpet.
The instrument was created in close collaboration with Mike and developed according to his personal design and requirements. Made entirely by hand by KGUmusic artisans, this signature trumpet is a unique instrument, featuring technical excellence and Mike Vax’s distinctive style. The creation of this trumpet is more than just a technical collaboration. It’s also the symbol of mutual respect between the musician and artisans.
We at KGUmusic feel proud that our instrument sounds in the skillful hands of Mike Vax, the artist who symbolizes the jazz spirit and creative freedom. We highly appreciate Mike Vax for his contribution to the development of brass music. And we would like to thank him for his appreciation of Ukrainian instrument manufacturers and his support.
Final Word
Mike Vax’s music continues to inspire generations of musicians. Beyond performing, he is also actively engaged in recordings, jazz camps, and developing programs to support young artists and preserve big band traditions. Collaborating with such a legend is a great honor and a testament to KGUmusic’s global recognition.
We are grateful to Mike Vax for his trust and shared passion for jazz music.
If you’d like to discover the story of another great musician we’ve had the honour to collaborate with and design an instrument for, feel free to check our article about Sebastian Studnitzky.
We also invite you to explore our full collection of custom instruments, featuring enhanced sound and visual characteristics. If you’re devoted to a particular instrument and don’t plan to switch to something else, then check out our accessories for brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instruments.
Sources:
https://kgumusic.com/pages/about-us