“Mike Vax’s future is assured because of his driving desire to express himself and to lead.”

Stan Kenton
 

“As a clinician, I would have to rank Mike Vax in my top 5, and that is after having over 50 artist clinicians during my tenure at Northern Illinois University. Every time Mike has worked with a band of mine, they are not only better musicians, but finer human beings too.”

Ron Model, 25 years as NIU Jazz Director
 

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL - REVIEW OF THE NEW OAKLAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA:

”An especially exciting new band that is fast becoming one of the best in the nation. Leader Mike Vax’s solo on ‘Vax Attacks,’ a number written for him by Lennie Niehaus, was one of those magic moments when the atmosphere crackled and everyone looked at each other as if to say ‘Where’d this guy come from? Is he for real?’ Even just one or two choruses like that for your hundred and fifty dollar ticket, you figure you got your money’s worth.”

Robert Tate and Nina Hodgson
Jazz Now Magazine
 

“Best trumpet: Mike Vax, an alumnus of the Kenton Band, who plays every style with a bright cutting edge, throwing in bop riffs here and there.” (From the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee)

Herb Caen, San Francisco Chronicle
 

“A true professional hornman, he knows his instrument inside and out, but never lets technical considerations overrule musical ones.”

Rhodes Spedale, New Orleans Magazine
 

“Mike Vax is without question the finest clinician that we have ever had and we hope to work with him again.”

Frank DeMiero, Dept. of Music Education
Program Manager
Edmonds, WA School District
 

“Not only was Mike Vax’s playing superb, but his comments as clinician were right on target and greatly aided our young jazz musicians.”

Alex B. Campbell, Coordinator for Music Ed.
Jefferson Co. Public Schools, Denver, CO
 

“Mike Vax’s reputation preceded him, and his clinic and performance matched everything expected.”

Lt. R. Van Hoose, Commanding Officer Armed Forces School of Music
 

“Mike Vax made at least one young man in the audience melt into his seat in a lump of disbelief.”

Daytona Beach Morning Journal
Daytona Beach, FL
 

“Lead trumpeter Vax can handle anything the varied and challenging Kenton repertoire demands.”

Downbeat Magazine
  

“Mike Vax plays trumpet the way you have to play in order to hold down the lead chair with Stan Kenton.”

Jon Hendricks, San Francisco Chronicle
 

“…… a tremendous player!”

Crescendo Magazine, London, England

 

MIKE VAX IS A GETZEN INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTIST