Michael Johancsik is a Calgary-born saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and teacher, living in Montreal, Quebec. When he was 11 years old, he was given his first saxophone by his grandfather, whose deep love for the jazz tradition, especially big-toned swing tenor players like Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry, would be a lasting influence and inspiration.

Michael’s own music is an expression of his love for jazz, particularly the idiosyncratic sounds of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Charles Mingus, and its ability to incorporate stylistic and sonic elements from the music of other cultures. 

He is currently active as a freelance performer, writer, and teacher in Montreal.