Artist Profile:
Mike Holguin
Born in East Los Angeles, Mike Holguin is best known for his versatility and wide variety of musical tastes. This is due to the fact that Mike attended a different school every single year from Kindergarten all the way through High school. Mike was exposed to everything from Latin, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, Studio recording, Theatre, Reading, Writing, Arranging, Composing, etc. Mike has hundreds of studio sessions to his name including Sony PlayStation as well as Movie credits on Jerry Brookheimers’ Block Buster Movie “Pearl Harbor”.
In the Jazz world, Mike has also played with every major Big Band in San Diego including multi award winning Big Time Operator, Gilbert Castellanos, Brad Steinwehe’s Big Band, Bill Green, Society Beat, San Diego Jazz Orchestra and the San Diego State University “A” Jazz Band.
In the Latin music scene, Mike has performed on many occasions with the Grammy award winning queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, Jack Costanzo, Jose Rizo’s “Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars”, Gilbert Castellano’s Latin Jazz Quintet, Alan Phillips, Gunnar Biggs Quartet, Monnette Marino, Gene Perry, Allison Tucker, Danny Green, Orquesta La Nueva, Orquesta Primo. He has also played with many of the salsa groups in Los Angeles including Son Mayor, RMM Recording artist Yari More and Gilberto Torez.
In the Country and Pop scene, Mike has performed with Grammy Award Winners Lee Ann Womack, LeeAnne Rhymes, John Michael Montgomery, Jamie O’Neal, Phil Vasser, Wayne Nelson, Little River Band, Buck Howdy, Juice Newton, James Otto, American Idol’s Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington. Disney’s Jordin Pruitt as well as Comedian Rich Little. Mike has also been a member of The Church at Rancho Bernardo and The Mighty Untouchables for the past 15 years.
While in High School, Mike marched with The Sound Machine of the Inland Empire from 1989 -1991. After graduating High School Mike joined the US Navy and was stationed on board the Aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-61. It wasn’t till after returning from Operation Desert Storm that he was accepted into the US Navy School of Music in Norfolk, VA. In 1991, Mike would begin his world travels with the 7th Fleet Navy band stationed out of Yokosuka, Japan. During his tour of duty, Mike would see 22 countries including Russia, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, etc. In 1994, Mike was transferred to the Navy Band in San Diego. It was here that he would settle down and begin his civilian music career.
Educationally Mike currently teaches percussion at San Diego State University, Rancho Bernardo HS, Mira Mesa HS, Bernardo Heights Middle School. He is also an accomplished arranger both for percussion and band. Mike is proud to be endorsed Evans Drum Heads and Vic Firth Sticks.
