Michael Manson is a talented, educated, and experienced musician and music educator. His training includes intensive work in the classical, jazz, gospel, and R&B genres. Additionally, his Christian philosophy emphasizes that giving is a crucial part of his lifestyle. In line with this belief, music is seen as a gift meant to serve others. Therefore, Michael feels that the gift he has been given should be shared to benefit others, particularly his community.

 

With the release of his previous CD, “A Ray of Hope,” Michael Manson joined the ranks of today's premier jazz artists.

His first singles, "Outer Drive,” “Sundance,” and “Coming Right At Ya," reached the top 10 on the R & R Smooth Jazz charts. Bass master Michael Manson transitioned from sideman to center stage with his solo debut, The Bottom Line.

 

His passion and precision shine through with both unrelenting power and laid-back grace in an album that he says “reflects the deepest expression of all I have felt making music for the last twenty years.”

On Michael Manson's new CD "A Ray of Hope" (2021), he is credited for both writing and production. For this album, Michael has gathered the who ‘s who of Smooth Jazz: Najee, Darren Rhan, Jeff Lorber, the late Nick Colionne, Lin Roundtree, Paul Jackson Jr., and the legendary George Duke, among many other great jazz musicians. This album offers an excellent blend of contemporary jazz, R & B, and even a touch of gospel.

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Michael Manson is currently working on his new album for 2026 entitled " rideshare. " The first single premiered last year with the title " On The Up and Up, " and this year the single is entitled "Just to See You Smile. " The full album will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and released the first quarter of 2026.

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For Michael Manson, the bottom line has always been great music. Since he first picked up a guitar (not a bass), he has consistently moved from strength to strength, with one association leading inevitably to another in a career that has brought him front and center with the most respected names in jazz, gospel, R & B, rock, and pop. Manson' s uniquely lyrical voice has its roots in Chicago, Illinois. 

Returning to Chicago State University, he joined the Chicago State Gospel Choir, and in Manson' s words, "things started snowballing." One gig or association would lead to another, with Manson performing alongside one Gospel great after another: Tramaine Hawkins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jessy Dixon, and James Cleveland. He even played on the Winans album All Out, only the first of many times he would perform with childhood musical heroes.

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After graduating from Chicago State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, he completed a Master' s in Music Performance at Northwestern University. In 1995, Manson met Steve Finkle (now Steve Cole), who was performing with Brian Culbertson.  That same year, one of his gospel connections introduced him to Kirk Whalum, leading to his performance on the Dove and Stellar Award- nominated "The Gospel According To Jazz." Recorded live at the Roy Acuff Theatre, this album featured Whalum, George Duke, and Paul Jackson Jr. "That' s how I met George Duke in' 97," quips Manson.

Manson' s association with George Duke ultimately led to the gig of a lifetime. George, the musical director and a featured artist on the Montreux Jazz tour, invited Manson onboard, where he shared the stage with his greatest childhood hero, Al Jarreau, along with David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, and Joe Sample. Manson has shared the stage with Warner Bros. Records artists Larry Carlton, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Rick Braun, Kenny Garrett, George Duke, and Kevin Mahogany. His friend Kirk Whalum said with typical good humor, "After that tour, you could have retired." But Manson is just getting started. Kirk also included him on his "Hymns In The Garden" album, which was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the Grammys. 

 

In 2010, after years of collaborating with the best in jazz, Manson and his wife Lana opened a nonprofit music school called the Musical Arts Institute. This endeavor has served thousands of students and currently has 2300 students enrolled. They serve the far south side of Chicago, where students and families lack access to or resources for high- quality music instruction. Thousands have been impacted by the school and service. 

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For Michael Manson, a love of musical communication, exploration, collaboration, and celebration is clearly what it' s all about. This  release reflects Manson' s unwavering passion through joy and inspired artistry: "There are intriguing musical conversations, and I hope the audience shares in that. But it is just great for musicians to communicate in that way. That' s the joy of music. To make great music like that every night, that' s what it' s all about.”