Music has been a part of Mike List’s life since he was a kid. The percussionist grew up in Metro Detroit, where he played in the school music program, youth group, and basement rock bands. This interest led him to study music at Central Michigan University, where he was exposed to classical, jazz, and a heavy dose of avant-garde music. While obtaining his master’s degree, he expanded that interest to a number of non-western musical traditions, which included five months of study and volunteering in India.

Mike’s background and experience include a variety of styles and traditions. He appreciates the precision and accuracy of classical music, the experimental nature of jazz and avant-garde, and the release provided by playing with rock and worship bands. His work is informed by cultures — both western and non-western — with deep traditions of groove, rhythmic complexity, and fascinating sounds. The collision of those cultures and styles is where Mike finds his most authentic expression. He has played world music fusion in bars, tabla in church services, and classical music in punk anarchist communes. His typical setup includes drums from West Africa, the Middle East, Japan, South America, and other sound objects he has made or collected.

Mike has worked with the Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet (world music fusion), Rela (percussion quartet), CutTime Simfonica (string quartet), Nessa (Celtic fusion), Dr. Pete Larson (psychedelic nyatiti rock), Common Sounds (classical/world music), Porcelain Hammer (avant-garde rock), Inscribe (avant-garde world jazz), Wisaal (Mediterranean fusion), and To Hit (percussion duet) to name a few. Mike holds a master of music and bachelor of music in percussion performance from Central Michigan University and has studied tabla, mbira, and Arabic percussion. He has released several albums, teaches privately, accompanies modern dance, and teaches courses that include History of Rock and Roll, Classical to Jazz, and World Music.

Short Bio:

Mike List is a globalized percussionist based out of Metro Detroit specializing in instruments from around the globe. Mike is a versatile artist who explores the intersections of classical, jazz, avant-garde, Western and non-Western music; he has played world music in bars, tabla in church services, and classical music in punk anarchist communes. He has worked with the Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet (world music fusion), Rela (percussion quartet), CutTime Simfonica (string quartet), Nessa (Celtic fusion), Dr. Pete Larson (psychedelic nyatiti rock), Porcelain Hammer (avant-garde rock), Wisaal (Mediterranean fusion), and To Hit (percussion duet). Mike holds a master of music and bachelor of music in percussion performance from Central Michigan University and has studied tabla, mbira, and Arabic percussion. He also teaches privately, accompanies modern dance, and teaches courses that include History of Rock and Roll, Classical to Jazz, and World Music.