Mike Tarpley, was born and raised in Martinsville, Virginia where he picked up the saxophone at 7 years old. With inspiration from his father, Tap Tarpley, a local blues singer & sax player, Mike became musical force to be reckoned with at a very young age. Leading his high school & college bands as drum major and playing 1st chair sax in local orchestras & jazz ensembles groomed him to become the stellar musician he is today.

With dual studies in Business and Music, he received a B.A. degree from Norfolk State University. Proficient on the Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones, Mike plays every Sunday at church and performs solo or with corporate bands in area venues & private events. The smooth & deep yet, funky & melodic tones that come from the saxophone when Mike plays, are products of his blues & gospel upbringing as well as influences from his mentor and favorite artist, Kirk Whalum.

Mike has performed with The Temptations horn section and is an in demand session player for many independent artists like Dorie Pride, Jody Mayfield & Kamau Seitu just to name a few. Whether recording original tunes or packing venues in Metro Atlanta with his band The Fusion Project or the popular duo - EQ & MT -As Mike belts out a rift - casual listeners actively tune into the mesmerizing melodies of his saxophone. When Mike plays…people listen