Who is Mikey Z? Jazz musician by day – and jazz musician by night, come to think of it, but some rare nights, this rare night, he’s a singer-songwriter-composer-band leader channeling his inner Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman, summoning the spirit of John Lennon, conjuring the creativity of Paul Simon and Elvis Costello – yes, it’s Michael Zilber, master of the saxophone and sometimes piano man, shedding all cynicism, baring his soul to expose those wild hopes and secret dreams in heartfelt, quirky originals, accompanied by the Midlife Crisis, Dave McNab on guitar, Dan Feiszli on bass, and Jeff Marrs on drums, who all have secret inner lives of their own.

Michael is an accomplished jazz artist who has worked with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Dave Liebman, Eddie Henderson, Fareed Haque, John Handy, Dave Douglas, and Rachel Z. His latest album, Shot Through With Beauty, recorded with guitarist John Stowell, made KQED’s top ten list of favorite jazz albums in 2011. The website Jazz Times has praised his beautiful compositions and impassioned playing. He’s also a gifted teacher, working with students at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Jazz Camp West, Banff International Jazz Workshop, and the Jazzschool.

What goes on in the secret hearts and twisted minds of some of the Bay Area’s best jazz musicians? What cleverly rhymed lyrics and sweet, hummable tunes have they been saving for a night like tonight?

Visit Mike Zilber's website