Mike Assad has performed as a freelance drummer and percussionist for more than a decade. Since moving to Memphis in 2001, he has performed regularly with local artists such as, Neptune‘s Army featuring Ed Finney, the Charlie Wood Trio, and the Michael Jeffery Stevens Trio. He has also performed with various big bands and orchestras including the New Memphis Hepcats, the Memphis Jazz Orchestra, and the Corinth Symphony Orchestra. Mike has studied with Miles Osland, Steve Davis, Donnie Patterson, Ed Murray, Jack Cooper, and Tim Goodwin. He has performed in master classes for clinicians such as Michael Brecker, Benny Golson, James Moody, John Riley, Stanley Cowell, Stanley Turrentine, Jerry Coker, Sir Rolland Hanna, and Clark Terry. Mike was also chosen by audition for the Richard Davis Jazz Residency Workshop Series presented by the Lexington Arts Council. Currently, Mike also teaches drum set at the University of Memphis and the Memphis Drum Shop.
