After being thrust into a big band in Birmingham at the age of 16, Michael went on to do a music degree at Bath Spa University. After qualifying as a teacher he settled in Bath and fitted in a busy freelance trumpet-playing career including playing for Bath Philharmonia and many choral societies across the region. He also specialises in authentic performance playing natural trumpet for many groups including Bath Baroque and Bradford Baroque Bands.

Michael appears regularly in the orchestra pit playing for shows in Bath and Bristol, and plays second trumpet for the outstanding Premiere Brass Quintet.

With the aid of friend Matt Finch he co-founded the Gorgeous Big Horns(GBH) Big Band and has been fortunate to work with Pee Wee Ellis, Jason Rebello, Mike Mower, Andy Sheppard, Iain Ballamy, Mark Nightingale and John Law. Michael has played at Ashton Court Festival, St. Georges Bristol and the Wiltshire Music Centre among others. Working with such high calibre instrumentalists has enabled him to develop as a musician and educator.

In 1999 Michael became conductor for Cantamus Chamber Choir and has developed both the choir's repetoire and reputation immeasurably since. Michael's jazz interests often influence the repetoire for Cantamus Chamber Choir, for example, the choir recently (November 2012) performed Will Todd's jazz mass Mass in Blue featuring world-renowned saxophonist Iain Ballamy and Bristol-based first-rate group the Nick Malcolm Quartet. Mike performs regularly with his own jazz quartet, quintet, the Moonrakers Dance Orchestra - an eight-piece swing band.

He is Music Director and a tutor at Jazz Factory, a weekly jazz workshop based at the Wiltshire Music Centre.

He has broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and Radio Wiltshire and is in demand across the southwest as a lead trumpet player and musical director.

Visit Michael's website: 
mikedaniels.co.uk