The Atmos Trio

Rob Michael

Solidbody and Hollowbody electric guitar, Nylon and Steel string Acoustic guitars and guitar synth.

Rob has been a man possessed by the mysteries of music for nearly 30 years.

Born in 1965, Rob grew up in the Grand Junction Colorado where he started playing piano at age six but later switched to guitar.

At the age of 17, Rob moved from Colorado to California where he studied music theory and jazz improvisation at Solano Community college with Delbert Bump and Chabot Community College with Frank Sumares. In 1987 he moved to Hollywood to become an Honors Graduate at the prestigious Musicians Institute (GIT) where he studied with a variety of incredible musicians including: Scott Henderson, Joe Diorio, Ron Echete, Peter Sprague, Norman Brown, Bob Magnuson, Jeff Berlin and Gary Willis.

Over the years, Rob has been the leader of several Trio groups (Ideas Ensemble, The Evil Trio among others...) that played throughout much of the West coast.

Rob has stayed very busy for the past 20 years teaching literally thousands of private lessons regularly seeing 60-70 students per week. "I teach--like CRAZY!! Good thing I love it..."

Not only teaching all styles of solo and ensemble guitar and bass playing, but also sharing his extensive knowledge of music technology. He has been hired by industry leaders such as Alesis, Peavey, and Roland /Boss Corporation. Rob has consulted and educated the novice as well as seasoned professional in the advances in guitar synthesis and digital recording. He has also written instructional articles for the national music publication Frets magazine.

From 1998-2002 Rob functioned as both guitar and synthesist for the popular technology/groove-heavy group the The Venusians (with Jeff Obee) which enjoyed regional success and which produced some well received recording projects. They Headlined the Oregon Country Fair, Burning Man, and served as opening act for Lyle Lovett, Cher, String Cheese Incident and many others.

Besides his role as co-leader for the Atmos Trio, he does solo guitar and duet performances and works in numerous casuals bands, plays in the Mediterranean band "Diamante." and The Joe Henderson Memorial Big Band featuring Warren Gale Jr.

Recording Credits

Kazuaki Tanahashi "Imagining Peace"

The Venusians: "Hot Planet"

The Venusians: "Tidal Shift" (Movie soundtrack)

Celeste Howard: "The Gateway" featuring Paul McCandless

Jeff Obee: "Pieces From the Cave Mind"

Atmos Trio: "Atmos Trio"

Atmos Trio: "Atmos Plays Waters"

Performance Credits

Scott Henderson, Gary Willis, Jeff Berlin, Billy Childs, Herb Gibson, Joe Diorio, Tom Brechtlein, Peter Sprague, Ralph Humphrey, Norman Brown, Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers).

"Great playing--where's your gig?"
Norman Brown

"... where did you find this guy!"
Oteil Burbridge

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