Born and raised in Rochester NY, Mike Karn was an accomplished saxophonist with recordings as a leader, until 2007 when he began to seriously pursue the bass and within a couple of years was working with some of New York’s best musicians, including tenor great Lew Tabakin and with jazz vocal legend Jon Hendricks. In 2010 Mike began playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (VJO) and quickly established himself as that famous big band’s first call sub. In addition to numerous Monday nights at the Village Vanguard, Mike has traveled with the VJO throughout the U.S. and the world. Mike has played with Jimmy Heath and his brother and fellow NEA Jazz Master Albert “Tootie” Heath on numerous occasions including engagements at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, the Village Vanguard, and the Chicago Jazz Festival.
In 2015 Mike had the opportunity to travel to Japan with yet another jazz legend, vocalist/pianist Freddy Cole. In 2018 Mike returned to Asia with Freddy, playing again at the Cotton Club as well as the Blue Note in Beijing. In 2015 Mike joined the band of guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and since then has appeared with the guitarist/vocalist throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as tours of Japan, Brazil and multiple trips to Europe. He is also featured on many of John’s recent albums including, most recently, Stage and Screen. Of course, Mike will return to The Jazz Cruise with John and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson.