Bio
Mike Frasier is a tubist, pianist, bassist, teacher, writer,
composer, arranger, producer, web developer, and entrepreneur based in
Chicago. As the tuba and piano player for Presidio Brass—an XO Brass
ensemble managed by ECE Touring and Allied Music Group—he has performed
in hundreds of concert halls, theaters, and music schools across the
country. He has also entertained audiences across Europe, Canada, and
China, and performed with such groups as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Adrian
Symphony Orchestra, and Evanston Symphony Orchestra.
Mike enjoys making music in a wide variety of professional settings, which
can range from classical to jazz, from hard rock to smooth R&B,
and from slick mainstream pop to raw experimentalism. He is in active demand
as a freelance performer in the Chicagoland area, and can be found
playing with local groups like Ricky Liontones & the Feline Grooves, the
Chicago Freedom Ensemble, Alley Light, The Taylor Street Organ Trio, It Takes 2,
and Axeman Surdu & yer Friends' Friends.
A devoted educator, Mike serves on the faculty at Saint Xavier University
where he teaches music theory and brass methods. He has appeared as a clinician at the National
Association for Music Education Conference, the Midwest Clinic, the Tennessee
Arts Academy, and several state Music Educators Association conferences.
He has also presented masterclasses at dozens of higher institutions including
the University of Michigan, Florida State University, the University of Missouri, the University of Central
Florida, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
He has partnered with VH1 Save The Music to bring music performances to underserved
school programs, in addition to providing music lessons to foster children with Care2Rock.
He currently maintains a private studio in Chicago where he teaches tuba, piano, and
bass, as well as offering music tutoring for students
ranging from beginners to doctoral candidates.
As co-founder of Slapsauce Music, he has produced over a hundred music
videos and live events for independent musicians in the Chicago area,
including the viral Internet video series “Smooth Tuba Tuesday” which he
stars in every week. Slapsauce also makes custom merchandise for musicians,
and offers a wide range of audio/video production services.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Mike began studying piano with
Diana Munch at age 6. By middle school he had picked up the tuba and was
trying his hand at composition, premiering the piece “Genesis” in
collaboration with professional recording artist Randy Scott. He would go on
to earn two Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Michigan and two Master
of Music degrees from Northwestern University, each in music performance and
music theory. In addition to studying tuba with Fritz Kaenzig and Rex Martin,
he gained a wealth of experience teaching advanced music theory concepts to
undergraduate and graduate students. He has since presented lectures on
musical topics ranging from the role of body awareness in music performance
to the hip-hop music of J Dilla.
An active fitness enthusiast and former personal trainer, Mike enjoys
running and cycling through the city of Chicago, swimming in Lake Michigan,
and working on his jump shot. He also enjoys
volunteering in his free time, and appears regularly with the Chicago
Freedom Ensemble to bring positivity through music to various mutual aid
initiatives in Chicago.
