Mike Pope

Mike Pope is a highly accomplished bassist and composer known for his work on both electric and acoustic bass. Raised in Bowling Green, Ohio, in a musical family with classical piano roots, he started piano lessons at age 7 before discovering the bass inspired by legends like Jaco Pastorius. He honed his skills in jazz studies at the University of North Texas, playing in their prestigious One O’clock Lab Band, and later moved to New York City on the encouragement of Michael Brecker, where he established himself in the vibrant jazz scene. Over a 30-year career, Pope has toured and recorded with acclaimed artists such as Chick Corea's Elektric Band, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, and Joe Locke, showcasing a rare virtuosity on both bass instruments.

His recent work, including the 2025 album *The Parts You Keep*, features collaborations with a new generation of jazz talents alongside established masters. The album evokes personal history, incorporating a recording of his 85-year-old mother, a classical pianist, which connects his early musical influences with his contemporary jazz explorations. Mike Pope is praised for his distinct blend of tradition and innovation, his skills as a composer and arranger, and his ability to create rich, melodic, and interactive jazz experiences that honor the past while embracing the future.

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