GOALS & ASPIRATIONS

Michael’s goal is to market and sell his music compositions to recording artists as well as to the film industry. While he writes and records many styles ranging from Latin, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Country, Blues, and Instrumental, Michael enjoys Latin and Instrumental genres the most. Michael is also a producer in his own recording studio and engineers and produces numerous regional artists in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia areas. He has devoted and developed himself over the years to be a fine musician that is well respected, dedicated to excellence and giving to other musicians for a chance to grow. His personal goal is to continue composing, producing, engineering, and teaching as well as supporting his fellow musicians.

MICHAEL'S INFLUENCES

When Michael heard his first Charlie Byrd album in 1965, he knew he wanted to be a Latin Jazz studio guitarist. In the 70’s, he was very much impacted by the style of Carlos Santana, Jose Feliciano, and Al DiMeola. Most recently Michael listens to Carlos Montoya, Torcuato Mariano, Nando Lauria, and Peter White.

When he was 17, Michael met Country's Ernest Tubb, Flamenco Jazz Guitarist Jose Feliciano and Charlie Byrd years later. Most recently he had the pleasure of meeting Jazz’s Stanley Jordan, Metal’s Tony MacAlpine, Latin Jazz’s Al DiMeola, Latin Jazz’s Torcuato Mariano, Jazz’s Oscar Peterson, Jazz’s Artie Traum, Country’s Chely Wright, Country’s Terri Clark, Metal’s Joe Satriani, and Folk’s Lucy Kaplansky (interview).

MUSIC BIO

Michael's father owned a large music store in New York when he was a young boy. This gave him an early opportunity to be around talented performing and studio musicians all of his life. Michael began taking drum lessons when he was seven and guitar lessons when he was eight. Many guitars and drum sets later, Michael began playing both instruments professionally when he was 13. He received his first union card and hit the club scene playing everything from Jazz, Country, Blues, Folk, Rock, to Pop music.

Michael performed in his middle school Jazz band as well as Orchestral and Marching bands. He continued playing in these organizations through high school and had the opportunity to perform with world renowned Jazz bassist Slam Stewart. Michael was also chosen to perform in the 197 5 Macy's Day parade, and his drum section won numerous awards during competitions along the East coast.

During the 70's, Michael continued to perform five to six times a week in cover and original bands. He appeared on live radio shows and his band "Tucson" was featured in the newspaper as "The band to experience." During the early 80's, he continued performing with various band genres such as Jazz, Rock, Country, Blues, Pop, Folk, Funk/Disco and Original.

During the 90's, Michael started up a professional recording studio to provide his audio engineering skills to his fellow musicians. After extensive research and skill development he started providing analog recording services in 1992. He recently opened his all digital recording studio in 2001 in the Annapolis, MD area. One of his clients is The Baltimore Songwriter's Association where he volunteers his time to create and master compilation CD's for regional songwriters.

Michael is a board member of The Baltimore Songwriter's Association. He is also a member of The Nashville Songwriters Association International, and The Songwriter's Association of Washington. Michael is a member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and co-founded The Annapolis Songwriter’s Association.

He also had the opportunity to meet with an A&R Executive at EMI Publishing on Music Row this year in Nashville. Michael composes Latin, Folk, Country, Blues, Instrumental, Jazz, Rock, and Pop music in his recording studio. He often is requested to compose guitar, drum, bass and keyboard parts, as well as pedal steel guitar, and even steel drums.

He is a multi-talented musician with very sharp audio engineering and production skills. During the 90's through present day, Michael provides guitar, bass and drum lessons to children in order to encourage their creativity and mentors his students toward a potential music career.

KEY MUSIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In 2001, he received a finalist position in the KAM Songwriting Contest for his Country song entitled "Stoppin' For Your Love." Michael was also just recently notified by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest that he earned an Honorable Mention position for his Blues tune entitled "My Quarter's Up." He also earned the same Honorable Mention position for his Rock/Jazz Ballad named "Because of You." Michael also co-wrote a Reggae song that won in the Songwriters Association of Washington songwriting contest.

In 2003, Michael performed sound engineering for live NY shows for Julie Gold (From a distance), Freebo (Bonnie Raitt’s bassist), David Roth, Severin Browne (Jackson Browne’s brother), Cosy Sheridan, Eric Garrison, Sloan Wainwright, and John Redgate (ASCAP- Beatlemania).

Most recently, Michael was featured in The Severna Park Voice Newspaper. This article featured his work as a producer and engineer in his recording studio called The Note Factory. Mr. Zampi produces and engineers approximately one to two full CD projects per month.

Michael celebrated his first self produced and written CD release entitled “No Boundaries” in May of 2003. This CD demonstrates his ability to write Rock, Pop, Reggae, Country, Blues and Instrumental songs. In 2004 he released his second CD that is more of a Latin and Folk based genre. In 2005 Michael wrote an hour-long sound track for a relaxation DVD called “Cape Cod – Reflections of Beauty”. This DVD is being used in the healing arts by large clients like Harvard’s Medical University. This particular client uses this DVD for their “Mind and Body Healing Program” for the terminal ly ill. Michael just released a follow-up CD in 2006 that is comprised of instrumental acoustic guitar music called “The Chesapeake Bay – Reflections of Beauty.” Recently several of Michael’s guitar instrumentals appear on Maryland and Virginia Public Television as commercial buffers between programs.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The National A cademy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Board of Directors of The Baltimore Songwriter's Association
The Songwriter's Association of Washington
The Nashville Songwriter's Association International
The Washington Area Music Association
Just Plain Folks (judging panel for contests)
Co-founder of The Annapolis Songwriter’s Association
BMI
TAXI
DiscMakers Studio Partner

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

A.A.S. in Business Marketing, Management & Sales (1979 NY)
A.A.S. in Chemical Engineering (1984 NY)
B.S. in Computer Science (1988 VA)