Biography
Michael was introduced to The Chapman Stick* in 1976 by inventor Emmett Chapman. He became one of Chapman’s first students and studied 10 years before beginning his musical career on this new American stringed instrument. Today, he’s considered to be one of the instrument’s top performers. His instrumental music is a relaxing blend of jazz and blues with a Hawaiian flair. The music he creates has a unique, pleasant tone that soothes and relaxes listeners.
He’s performed extensively throughout California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. In addition to hundreds of performances at every imaginable type of venue, he’s been an opening act for The Beach Boys, Henry Kapono and The Goo Goo Dolls. His client list includes everything from Fortune 500 companies to civic organizations. He continues to perform both solo and with other musicians at festivals, fairs and some of Maui’s most prestigious resorts and events.
Michael has been featured on numerous TV and radio programs- both regionally and nationwide- including both “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition” on NPR. In May ‘07, CurrentTV purchased rights to one of his videos for national broadcast. He’s also been featured in many newspapers, magazines and other media. His DVD “Live In Concert” is aired frequently by Maui’s Akaku TV.
Without a record deal or promoter, Michael has had 12 independent releases in the last 10 years. This includes 9 CDs, a DVD and 2 digital download albums. In ‘06, he released the first digital download album of solo Chapman Stick music on iTunes and it has spread to dozens of other digital music sites. The ‘06 CD, “Waterfallin’“ was the first-ever to prominently feature the new, higher-range Alto Stick. His ‘09 release, “Under The Banyan Tree”, was recorded live in Old Lahaina with Native American flutes and his ‘08 release, “Hawaiian Paradise”, includes duos with Hawaiian steel guitar.
Instrumentation
MICHAEL KOLLWITZ
10 & 12 string Chapman Stick®
VIDEOS & CLIPS OF PAST TV APPEARANCES CAN BE SEEN AT: http://www.youtube.com (Search for 'MICHAEL KOLLWITZ' and you'll find about 20...)
Discography
"Under The Banyan Tree" (Jan. 2009)
"Hawaiian Paradise" (Aug. 2008)
"Greatest Hits- Vol. 2" - (Dec. 2007)
"Live In Concert"- full length DVD (Oct. 2006)
"20 Greatest Hits"- digital download (Oct. 2006)
“Waterfallin’” (April 2006)
“Here Comes Spring” (May 2005)
“Frosty The Stickman” (Dec. 2004)
“Memories” (May 2004)
“Carnival” (Dec. 2003)
“Moments” (Mar. 2003)
“Steppin’ Out” (Jan. 2000)
Links
| http://www.MichaelKollwitz.com |