Michael Lington--Vividly Off the Hook

Since the late 90s, saxophonist Michael Lington has produced hit after Top Ten hit while dazzling fans with his charismatic and electric live performances.  After securing a success, A Song for You, his dynamic, critically acclaimed collection of 70s pop covers featuring lush arrangements and a full orchestra, Lington, who became a U.S. citizen in March 2008 (18 years after emigrating from Denmark) dove right back into the smooth jazz mix, his obviously comfortable niche, and produced a smoker appropriately titled Heat, his latest, on the NuGroove label.

The upper echelons of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and Radio & Records’ Jazz Chart are familiar territory for Lington, whose 2000 breakthrough album, Vivid, featured the #2 hit “Twice In A Lifetime,” and “Sunset (Por Do Sol),” which reached #4.  Lington’s third release, Everything Must Change, was chosen as one of 2002’s top contemporary jazz recordings by Jazziz Magazine and spawned the Top 5 radio single, “Still Thinking Of You” and Top 30 hit “Off The Hook.” 

2004’s Stay With Me, his first release on fellow sax superstar Dave Koz’s Rendezvous Music label, remained on Billboards Contemporary Jazz Chart for 24 weeks and yielded three major radio hits with “Show Me” (#2), “Two Of A Kind” (#2) and “Pacifica” (#6).  A Song For You included two popular singles, “It’s Too Late” and “Tell Me All About It,” a duet with Koz.

Lington keeps some pretty impressive and (literally) regal company as he trots about the globe with his sax in hand. His stepfather was a drum major for the Queen’s guard and recently knighted, while Lington himself performed at the Queen of Denmark’s 50th Birthday celebration in Copenhagen.  He was later invited to perform at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederick, the country’s future king, at Fredensborg Castle. 

Lington keeps similarly royal company on the musical front, doing arena dates in 2008, opening for the legendary Barry Manilow with contemporary jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson, and collaborating on Heat with powerhouse writers, musicians, and producers from both the pop and contemporary jazz worlds.

Lington began playing clarinet at age seven and remembers spending time as a young boy learning about the music industry from his grandfather Otto Lington, a Danish jazz pioneer and bandleader for Shirley Bassey, Josephine Baker and Fats Waller, among many others.  His grandfather’s rich jazz legacy, classical training and a stint touring Europe inspired the young musician to move to the U.S. at age 21.  Not long after that, Lington began performing with esteemed vocalists such as Little Richard, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, and Randy Crawford.  His major breakthrough came with singer Bobby Caldwell, with whom he played from 1994 to 1998, and their collaboration on the hit, "Tell It Like It Is."

In between his busy schedule of touring and recording, Lington lends his artistry to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation which raises funds for children’s music programs and provides instruments to public schools throughout the U.S.  The Copenhagen native also participates in Create Now mentoring troubled teens in Los Angeles, and Acres of Love which provides for abandoned and AIDS-infected children in South Africa.   Like a good cigar? Well, Lington launched his own cigar company in 2006, Michael Lington Cigars.  How’s that for diverse interests? A true artist in every sense of the word, Lington certainly has earned a jewel in the crown of smooth jazz. -- Ronald Jackson


Michael Lington's concert calendar for the remainder of 2009

12/09/09 -- Minneapolis, MN
The Fine Line
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington

12/10/09 -- Indianapolis, IN
Murat Theater
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington

12/11/09 -- Dayton, OH
Gilly's
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington

12/12/09 -- Cleveland, OH
House Of Blues
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington

12/14/09 -- 12/16/09 -- Los Angeles, CA
Catalina Bar & Grill
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington

12/18/09 -- 12/20/09 -- San Francisco, CA
Yoshi's
Soulful Christmas featuring
Brian Culbertson & Michael Lington