
Mike Anthony spent decades as a first-call session guitarist and second-generation member of the famed Wrecking Crew that played on countless hit records. In addition to such TV credits as The Bob Newhart Show, The Brady Bunch, Dallas, Charlie’s Angels, The Flintstones, Happy Days, The Carol Burnett Show, and many more. Just a few of Mike’s film credits include Funny Lady, The Eiger Sanction, Moonraker, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Lady Sings The Blues, The Last Detail and a long list of others. During his studio years, Mike was in demand for a myriad of artists including Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Henry Mancini.
Mike lent his talent to many notable jazz artists including Blue Mitchell, J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Gil Evans, Bobby Shew and Richard “Groove” Holmes. He was featured on many hit songs including Diana Ross’ “Do You Know?” the theme from the film Mahogany. And few musicians can cite such diverse career highlights as performing in concert with Miles Davis and being enlisted to accompany the great Luciano Pavarotti.
When Mike elected to leave the studio life after many years, his peers threw a gala retirement party that was chronicled by a feature article in Guitar Player Magazine, the bible of guitar publications. Virtually every name guitarist in Hollywood attended Mike’s memorable sendoff.
Today, in addition to his frequent concerts that honor other jazz guitar greats, Mike teaches jazz guitar at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and gigs with his acclaimed First Take Trio. Moreover, in June of 2014, New Mexico Music Awards honored the famed guitarist with its Lifetime Achievement Award along with another for Best Instrumental Performance of the year for his rendition of Cole Porter’s “It’s Alright With Me.”
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