Mike Kammers, band leader of NYC's MK Groove Orchestra, never goes anywhere without his saxophone.
Mike Kammers, frontman of the MK Groove Orchestra, performs with the confidence, poise and bravado that one would expect from a New York City based musician. Yet his words reflect the humility, patience and self-deprecating ways of most Syracuse natives, making Kammers into an unlikely hybrid of showman and philosopher. After transplanting himself from the cold winters of Central New York to the competitive milieu of Manhattan's live music scene, the musician has formed fitting abodes both on stage and off.
Recently, Mike took the time to answer a few questions about where he's been, how he plays and why, thankfully, he will continue to call NYC home.
Matt Thomas: You've been playing professionally for the better part of a decade. Describe elements of your style that have progressed and developed over the last few years.
Mike Kammers: The better part of a decade! That one slapped me in the face a little bit. I have actually been playing professionally for 12 years now. My hometown, Syracuse, NY, had (and still has) a big band composed of high school musicians that plays professionally all over the city five days a week during the summers, as well as a run during the winter. Longest band name ever: The Syracuse City Parks and Recreation Stan Colella All-Star Band. It was my summer job. I have pretty much been trying to replicate that lifestyle ever since. I have played in big bands since I was 12.
Elements of my style that have improved in the last couple of years include: cohesive scoring; orchestration; rhythmic counterpoint; understanding and strategic use of idiom; use of passing tones and an expanded sonic palette.
MT: You've had the opportunity to perform at various clubs and venues throughout the world. In which country did you have the most devoted, or perhaps most interesting, audience?
MK: Performing in South Korea was probably the biggest trip; playing in clubs with signs on the door that say "No American Military Allowed", to audiences that seemed, perhaps, a little too easy to please: play a wailing high note and the crowd would dependably go nuts. They really appreciated the music, however, which is always great.
I am not even remotely famous, but people would line up for autographs after shows. After playing on TV, one group of people actually snuck up on me, took a picture of me washing my hands in the bathroom, giggled like little children, and hurried away. Weird.
Side note: The Korean version of 1945 is the hardest video game you will ever play.
MT: With your talent, you could probably earn a living as a musician in just about any city in America. Why stay in New York?
MK: A few months ago, I was at a wedding back home standing at the bar, and a stranger approached me. We got into the inevitable "NYC small talk", which then led to the question I consistently get from people when out of town: “Wow, New York City, you must really Love it, huh?” I was drunk enough to give an honest answer, which came out something like this:
“NYC is like a f*cked up abusive girlfriend that you can’t get enough of. It kicks your ass everyday and you’re not always happy, but you can’t really be happy anywhere else, because it’s so bad-ass that anything else just seems kind of boring. It could all end tomorrow or it might last the rest of your life. You just don’t know. “
I practice a cosmopolitan art form.
I came to NYC to go to college. I have stayed, in large part, because there is such an amazing community of musicians here; musicians who consistently challenge, engage and humble me, play my music well and understand me.
MT: MKGO has earned a great deal of buzz throughout NY State for its unparalleled energy and precision during its live performances. Have you been able to capture those elements on your studio albums?
MK: I think both of them capture the spirit of the band well. I don’t feel, however, that either [album] totally nails it. Sonically, I don’t think they reflect the spirit of the music as well as they could. They were both done digitally by very competent engineers, but I believe the heart of our music is analog, and that there is somewhat of a disconnect between the actual sound of the recordings and the spirit of the music.
MT: What's your favorite venue to play in and why?
MK: If you head north long enough from NYC you will eventually reach the Front St. exit of Interstate 81, which will lead you to the sleepy little town of Binghamton NY. Travel down Front Street for a few miles, take a right on Main Street, and you will inevitably come to Cyber Cafe West: the greatest place on earth.
CCW is my happy place.
Owned by the one and only Jeff Kahn, CCW features a superlative cafe; delicious food; good coffee; a well stocked bar with delicious beer, wine and liquor; a great sound system (Jeff has done sound for every one of the thousands of shows that have happened there); a nice stage; a respectful, unassuming, unpretentious crowd; a porch; a [second floor] with a foozball table; a green room and a back porch.
Jeff and his cohorts are such great people that have created such a wonderful place where magical things can happen when musicians assemble on the stage. Everyone at CCW is so comfortable with themselves and their environment, and so accepting, that once you are on stage you feel that comfort as well, allowing a joyous noise to flow forth. Go there. Go there now...run!
Get a taste of the incomparable MKGO sound by clicking here.
Mike will be leading the MK Groove Orchestra this Friday night at the Blue Note in Manhattan. To purchase tickets, click here.
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