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| Biography: |
 Mike Fortune is a drummer committed to creative new music. Growing up in upstate New York, Mike studied with percussionists Richard Albagli and James Petercsak and drummers John Riley, Ed Shaughnessy, Bob Moses and Frank Marino. He also, during that time, earned a Bachelors of Music Education at the Crane School of Music, has completed graduate course work at Crane School of Music and Queens College. |
| In the Albany-Saratoga area, he gained performing experience with Bret Zvacek, Mark Capon, Nick Mancini, Paul Tynan, Keith Pray and other friends, winning "outstanding artist" award at the University of Notre Dame Jazz Festival. Upon moving to New York City in early 2000, Mike stumbled into the 'downtown' scene in NYC, by accident, through meeting a mutual friend, Kelly Pratt. They together formed the group, Microtonacity. |
| Mike has gone on to perform and record with not only Microtonacity but also other great musicians, many being international jazz luminaries. The list includes Marshall Allen, Shanir Blumenkrantz , Roy Campbell Jr., Daniel Carter, Ty Cumbie, Jorrit Dykstra, Avram K. Fefer, Francois Grillot, Ratzo Harris, Adam Lane, Lukas Ligeti, Ed Littman, Sabir Mateen, Cameron Mizell, Eyal Moaz, Lawrence "Butch" Morris, Ras Moshe, Bern Nix, Rueben Radding, Michael Ray, Reut Regev, Jeffrey H. Shurdut, Sonny Simmons, Blaise Siwula, Travis Sullivan, Luther Thomas, Danny Ray Thompson, Walter Thompson, and scores of other NYC/ world based jazz artist. |
| Mike has performed at venues and series such as the Blue Note, TONIC, Knitting Factory, Zebulon, Tribes, ABC No Rio, Bowery Poetry Club, and The Music Now! Festival, FreeStyle Series at CBGB's, and many, many, many others in New York City. His performances and recording have received favorable review in publications including Signal To Noise, Cadence and All About Jazz. |
| Mike is also a highly trained and experienced music educator, with ten years experience. He gives private lessons, masterclasses, clinics across New York State and was a counselor at the 1999 KOSA Percussion workshop. Mike has served as band director for both public and private schools all while maintaining a busy performing career. |
| Relocated to Saratoga Springs with his lovely wife Dina in the summer of 2007, Mike is grateful for the many profoundly talented musicians that he has performed with and looks forward to future collaborations. He has and can be seen playing in bands led by Mark Capon, Terry Gordon, Anthony Jenkins, Jonathan Lorentz, Brian Patneaude, Mike's own trio, quartet and other fine artists in the Capital District. |
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