Bassist · Performer · Educator

About

Who is Michael?

Michael Santos is a South Florida–born upright bassist and jazz musician whose playing is marked by joy, physical engagement, and a deep sense of swing. Known for his expressive presence on stage, he brings an energetic and inviting approach to performance.

An active performer throughout the Midwest, Santos appears regularly in cities such as Indianapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Louisville. As a performer and recording artist, he has appeared with ensembles including the Ryan Devlin Quartet, the Mark Buselli Quintet, and the Micah Silverstein Ensemble, and has worked with artists such as Adam Nussbaum, Dan Miller, and Michael Conrad. He has recorded two albums with the Flying Horse Big Band and was recently featured on a live Oscar Peterson tribute recording with the Scott Routenberg Trio.

Santos is deeply committed to jazz education and improvisation pedagogy. He teaches bass and jazz improvisation at Ball State University, where he also directed Jazz Ensemble III (big band) for two years, working with students on sound production, time feel, and creative musicianship. At Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, he serves as an Associate Instructor for courses including Jazz Listening, Jazz Harmony, Jazz Theory, and Jazz Improvisation for non-majors, in addition to coaching multiple jazz combos each semester and teaching private students. His teaching emphasizes vocalization, ear-based learning, and improvisation as a pathway to musical independence.

Internationally, Santos has performed in Japan and Australia, including appearances at Pablo’s Jazz Club in Hobart, live broadcasts for ABC Radio, and the main stage of Hobart’s Taste of Summer festival. His performances have been heard at venues such as The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis), The Lilypad (Cambridge, MA), and Back In Time (Tokyo).

As both performer and educator, Santos believes music should be deeply human, joyful, and engaging. Whether on stage or in the studio, his work centers on connection, curiosity, and the shared pleasure of making music together.