about


Mike Effenberger is a recording and performing artist who has been living in the NH Seacoast since 2007. He received the Young Beacon in Jazz award from New School University in New York City, from which he graduated in 2005. While there, he studied with diverse artists including Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Werner, John Hollenbeck, Reggie Workman, Fred Hersch, and Joanne Brackeen.  Mike has curated an unmistakably individual voice that draws on gospel, minimalism, jazz, and 20th century music.

Mike plays throughout New England with a variety of bands including fiveighthirteen, Jazzputin and the Jug Skunks, the secular roots and gospel choir Rock My Soul, OURBIGBAND, Sad Bastards / Loose Standards, Showmen's Rest, Dan Blakeslee.  He leads Weird Turn Pro, which plays his original music.  When not in the northeast, Mike performs internationally with Bing and Ruth, and plays throughout the east coast with Soggy Po’ Boys.  Mike appears on countless recordings from independent releases to larger labels, including 4AD and RVNG Intl, and is also active as a producer.

His work has been written about in international publications including the Paris Review, The Guardian, Pitchfork, and Downbeat, as well as appearing on nationally syndicated media including NPR's All Things Considered and PRX's Echoes.

When not at a piano bench, he can typically be found in the woods.

     shows     

Fri 5.8 7pm - Soggy Po Boys at Studio 9 / Porches, North Adams MA

Sat 5.9 8pm - Soggy Po Boys with special guest Celia Woodsmith at the Crossroads Music Series, North Andover MA

Sat 5.23 8pm - Soggy Po Boys at the Mole Hill Theater, Alstead NH

Sun 5.24 5pm - Soggy Po Boys at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, Boscawen NH

Tue 5.26 6pm - Faculty Showcase at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, Portsmouth NH

Thu 5.28 730pm - Jim Dozet Group plays the music of Jon Scofield, Medeski, Martin, and Wood at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, Portsmouth NH

Sat 5.29 7pm - Chris Klaxton Quintet for Jazz Night in support of Somersworth music programs, Somersworth NH

Tue 6.2 9pm - Soggy Po Boys at the Press Room, Portsmouth NH

Sat 6.6 4pm - solo piano at Front Four Cellars, Wolfeboro NH

Sun 6.7 7pm - Rock My Soul at the Word Barn, Exeter NH

Sat 6.13 7pm - Soggy Po Boys with Mr Bill at Nova Arts, Keene NH

Sun 6.14 6pm - Sad Bastards / Loose Standards with SevenEight at the Andres Institute, Brookline NH

Fri 6.19 7pm - Soggy Po Boys at the Good Theater, Portland ME

Sat 6.20 3pm - Sad Bastards / Loose Standards at the Furber Memorial Chapel, Somersworth NH

Sat 6.20 730pm - Elroy at the Chocolate Church opening for Booker T. Jones, Bath ME

Thu 6.25 - Brian Quinn quartet, Hancock NH

Sun 7.5 5pm - Time and Mercy at Trinity Church, York ME

Wed 7.8 5pm - Dana Pearsons at the Town House School, Kennebunk, ME

Thu 7.16 7pm - Soggy Po Boys at the Word Barn, Exeter NH

Fri 7.17 8pm - Soggy Po Boys at Bull Run, Shirley MA

Fri 7.18 7pm - Soggy Po Boys at Cate Park, Wolfeboro NH

Sat 7.25 6pm - Soggy Po Boys at Seven Stars Art Center, Sharon VT

Wed 7.29 7pm - trio with Taylor O’Donnell and Chris Klaxton at Shoetown Park, South Berwick ME

Thu 7.30 7pm - Live album listening party for Gods, Devils, Love, Death with Guy Capecelatro III at BUOY Gallery, Kittery ME

current bands

media

Frequent areas of study include:

  • Classical piano

  • Jazz improvisation

  • Ear training

  • Music theory

  • Composition and arranging

  • Gospel and Spirituals

  • Audio production

teaching

Mike is sought after as an educator, maintaining a busy private studio as well as teaching at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center.  He approaches every student individually, meeting them where they are and sending them where they want to go.  His students range from children to senior citizens and run the gamut in genre and musical background.