Mike Laatz

Mike Laatz is a professional musician; he plays tenor,alto and soprano saxophones, and is also a drummer. He plays for the Evergreen Showband, does regular duo work with Eddie Kirkwood, and also performs solo several times a week, using high-quality backtracks.  He has played with all the major jazz musicians in Durban and Cape Town, and has recorded with Andrew Ford, Jack van Poll, Eddie Kirkwood and others (8 CDs to date). His “Sentimental Journey” CD was voted “Album of the Week” on three radio stations, and is frequently heard on air. It was also the album chosen for distribution by the Pam Golding Group as a marketing aid. You can hear samples of his playing at  www.mikelaatz.com

In addition, Mike compiles weekly cryptic crosswords for the Sunday Times website: www.sundaytimes.co.za He is a qualified microlight pilot, and is past chairman of Mensa Western Cape. He has appeared in several newspaper and TV commercials.

Mike presents Lunchbreak every Tuesday from 1.00- 2.00pm, and The Jazz Lounge every Tuesday evening from 18.3.00 – 20.00. In both these programmes, he plays relaxing, melodic jazz, and tries to avoid overly-progressive avant-garde styles.

Mike also writes the weekly Jazz News which goes out to a large mailing list every Tuesday. It gives details of jazz happenings in and around Cape Town, and forms the basis of FMR’s jazz gig guide which is broadcast at about 7.30pm on weeknights. To subscribe or to supply details of jazz events, send a request to  mikelaatz@telkomsa.net