Recordings

	Recordings This is a selected list of Michael's recording and production credits. Click Here for a More Complete List
		*Michael Spiro & Michael Williams BataMbira* New!** In the spirit of the acclaimed album BataKetu, this is the latest in a series of albums fusing Afro-Cuban folkloric music with other folkloric traditions. In this case, it is the beautiful melodies of the mbira, a thumb piano whose traditional usage stretches back hundreds of years to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Spiro is joined here by mbira virtuoso Michael Williams, as well as a bevy of extremely talented musicians: Jesus Diaz on vocals and timbal, Sonyalsis Feldman on vocals, Sylvain Leroux on Fula flute, Munose on the Bansuri flute, and a host of others adding background vocals.
		2004 GRAMMY NOMINATED! Best Latin Jazz Recording *Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge Isla* New!** Personnel: Mark Levine-piano; Michael Spiro-percussion, Peter Barshay-bass; Paul Van Wageningen-drums; Harvey Wainapel-Soprano Sax,Clarinet; Sheila Smith-Vocals
		Grupo Exploracion Descarga al Tambor ("Drum Jam") Out of the Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum summer program at Humboldt State comes this amazing jam session by 5 world class percussionists. Spiro, Miguel Bernal, Juan Brown, Harold Muñiz and Luis Cepeda present their interpretations of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms and song forms including rumba, Iyesá, bomba and plena, changüí and timba.
		Orquesta La Moderna Tradición Goza Conmigo This newest recording by Orquesta LMT presents more of the beautiful danzónes and cha-cha-chás that they are known for, as well as modern arrangements of sones and guarachas, and a version of Los Van Van's songo "Canta La Ceiba." Added to the mix are 3 original tunes by violinist/co-director Tregar Otton with coros composed by bandleader Roberto Borrell.
		Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge Serengeti Personnel: Mark Levine-piano; Michael Spiro-percussion, Lucumi moyuba ("Angola"); Peter Barshay- bass; Paul Van Wageningen-drums; José Luís Gomez-Abakua nkame ("Angola")
		Talking Drums - Tiempo Book/CD Talking Drums - Timba Funk Book/CD Talking Drums Video Talking Drums is a unique percussion trio that interprets traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms and adapts them to an original music format combining contemporary drumset, hand percussion and vocals. It features Michael, funk drummer David Garibaldi, and Cuban percussionist Jesus Diaz.
		Que Calor Que Calor is a new latin jazz group on the bay area scene, led by veteran pianist Mark Levine, and featuring stellar musicians well versed in the styles of afro-caribbean and jazz music. It features Ron Stallings on sax, Jeff Cressman on trombone, David Belove on bass, Paul van Wageningen on drums, and Spiro on percussion.
		Orquesta La Moderna Tradición ¡Danzonemos! Headed by master Cuban percussionist Roberto Borrell and featuring Spiro on timbales, LMT is perhaps the only group in the U.S. devoted to the art and interpretation of the Cuban Danzón. Mixing the Cha cha chá, Danzón and classical melodies of the past with contemporary Cuban and popular music, this orchestra is winning fans across the country.
		Ilu Aña Michael co-produced this CD featuring some of the foremost practitioners of Afro-Cuban religious music today. Recorded in August, 1994 during the ¡Afrocubanismo! workshop at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada, it features the Batá drumming and singing of Regino Jiménez, Amelia Pedroso, Librada Quesada, Fermin Nani, and José Pilar.
		Bata Ketu A musical interplay between Cuba and Brazil, Bata Ketu tells the story of Yoruba music uprooted from Mother Africa, and transplanted to the New World. Evolving seperately over time, they are reunited today in this recording by Michael and Mark Lamson.
		Latin Groove Factory, Vol. 1 An important addition to the growing collection of sampler CD's, Latin Groove Factory, Vol. 1 is a collection of loops and samples recorded by Michael on percussion and Ed Smith on drums. This CD brings the authentic rhythms of Cuba and Brazil to the electronic musician and producer, and the accompanying liner notes serve as an extensive introduction to these styles for the uninitiated.

new resumé recordings contact