You were born and raised in Copenhagen (Denmark) where you began your musical career on the clarinet (everyone's favourite chick magnet, she injects sardonically).
At age 15, beguiled by the soulful sax of David Sanborn and the bluesy vibes of Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, you switch to saxophone to better express the music percolating in your core. At 21, you relocate to Los Angeles where you quickly become an integral part of the contemporary jazz scene, ultimately touring with Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford, Michael Bolton, Barry Manilow and many others. Thirteen albums later, what do you do?
You Look Ahead.
And that is exactly what Michael has done with this new release. Not one to rest on his laurels, Michael Lington has blasted out of the gate with "South Bay," a flowing and funky fusion of groove and soul which has owned the #1 spot on Billboard's Smooth Jazz chart for an astonishing seven weeks!
"Moon Goddess" takes another tuneful turn, all booming brass and chunky charm. And then there is "Keri's Song", a sweetly sentimental ode to Michael's wife. It's like velvet and wine and chocolate all wrapped up in a beautiful satin bow - luxurious and sensual sax at its finest.
Which possibly explains this current sound, inspired by a newfound sense of balance and purpose, reflecting how finding his soulmate changed everything about Michael’s life, including his music. Marrying Keri and instantly becoming a family man (stepfather to her young daughter Lauren and a first-time dad at 50 with the birth of his now three-year-old son Landon). Add to that a new home in San Diego County and you pretty much have a whole new guy – “Michael Lington 2.0.” We should all be so kaleidoscopic in our mid-50s, right?
Michael has taken all of his talent, chops, guts and wisdom and turned them into a refreshing collection of electrifying songs, heavy on hooks and heart. So now what?
We Look Ahead. To Michael 2.0 and the next chapter of his compelling and captivating musical biography. Really, he's only just begun ...
Vickie van Dyke ~ midday host