Mike has been making music in Cardiff since the late 1940's for the most time in the New Orleans traditional style. He formed the ROOT DOCTORS in 1987, bringing together a group of both experienced and young musicians, proficient in a variety of musical styles. The ambition was to blend together a programme of jazz, blues, R'n'B, funk and all stations south, creating a fresh and exciting sound. There have been many personnel changes over the years, but the music is always eminently danceable and above all else FUN.

You can still trace the New Orleans and deep-south starting point, but they have evolved a unique show of magic and madness with their music. A variety of styles are invoked, and a performance will move at a moment from the chaos of trad-jazz-from hell to Mardi Gras street funk. from blow-the back-of it-blues to in-your-face-funk, from cajuns-on-acid to hip-hop bebop. With all this they continue the jazz/blues tradition of a robust attitude to life and love. Songs range from the bawdy to the outrageous, drawn from the music's past and coupled with original compositions by the band.

The music is laced, spiced and embroidered with great grooves, tight ensemble work, mind-blowing solos, all delivered with an exceptional level of personal conviction. Simply the best of ingredients, strong flavours, heavy-on-the-spice and all cooked in a rich and satisfying gumbo.

In their music and their ideas the ROOT DOCTORS are a gloriously free spirit, so the best advice is to keep an open mind. lie back and enjoy yourself.
OBSERVER "...remarkable band...the pnde of Cardiff "
WHATS HAPPENING "Above all. FUN! Every Root Doctor audience leaves with a smile on it's face"
GUARDIAN "Cymro gumbo combo"
FOLK ROOTS "Superbly executed, steamy, spicy, brassy funk. Great conviction and good noisy fun."

The band have performed at Brecon Jazz Festival, Pontypool Jazz in the Park, The Millenium Centre, Major festivals in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and throughout Wales.

Click here to see what inspires Mike's music

Photography Martin Russell, Adrian Reilly, Andy Roberts, Bob Meyrick and many others.


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