Mike Janzen is piano playing puzzle. On the one hand (perhaps his left), Mike is a well-trained classical musician with strong technical and music theory skills including a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University and a Masters of Composition from the University of Toronto. On the other, his musical journey includes forays into the worlds of rock, funk, folk and jazz.

Mike Janzen

For the past fourteen years, Mike has elected to make playing and improvising jazz a personal and professional priority. He has studied jazz with Dave Restivo, Mark Eiseman, Jim McNeely, David Braid, Paul Read and Wayne Bowman. He has played with such luminaries as Hugh and Fergus Marsh, Ben Riley, George Koeller, Andrew Downing, Frank Botos, Steve Bell, Pat Collins, Jacob Moon, Jenni Burke Miracle Quartet, SMJ Quartet, Ciara Adams and his own band The Penny Merchants.
Now living in Toronto with his wife Jodi, Mike is a regular on the Toronto music scene. Current projects include symphony arrangements for the Winnipeg Symphony, a film scoring project collaboration with Daniel Lanois, studio work, live touring, and his brand new trio album, Beginnings, with drummer Ben Riley (Bruce Cockburn, Michael Kaeshammer), and renowned bassist George Koeller (Holly Cole).

Two time JUNO award winner Steve Bell says, “Mike’s extraordinary improvisational intuition and skill sets songs ablaze with virtuosity. And…he’s just a great guy!”

 To purchase Mike Janzen’s CDs or find out about his touring schedule, visit his websites:

Mike Janzen’s Website

Mike Janzen Trio on Facebook