Mike Crowley
Michael Crowley was born in 1949 and grew up in Milford, Massachusetts. He began playing clarinet at the age of ten, and proceeded to study Tenor Saxophone under Jazz Musician, Boots Mussulli, and his high school band leader Lou Lombardi.
Crowley performed in the Milford Youth Orchestra under the direction of Boots Mussulli. He also played with the St. Mary’s High School Band, and worked with various combos throughout his school years. Crowley found inspiration to follow a career in music, and in 1967 he entered the Boston Conservatory of Music. He studied under Pat Principe, Joe, Viola, and Atilla Poto, and graduated in 1971 with a degree in music education. Crowley was hired by Milford Public schools in 1971, received his Masters in Music from Lowell State in 1980, and taught until his retirement in 2006.
In 1967, Crowley began playing in the Jerry Seeco Sextet, and proceeded to perform with this band for the next eight years. In 1975, he joined the Impulse Band, which would later be known as the Voodoo Dogs.
Presently, Crowley is involved in various styles of performance. His Big Band work includes: Little Mahrud, Key West Big Band, Jerry Seeco Big Band, and the Worcester Big Band. He is a frequent Thayer Symphony guest, and can be seen playing in theatre pits in the area. Current settings for his woodwinds include: the Funky White Honkies, Cheap Sneakers, and the Al Mueller Trio.
Over the years, Crowley continues to be backing up significant vocal acts. His resume includes: Aretha Franklin, Lou Christie, Bobby Rydell, Jay and the Americans, the Tokens, Duprees, a 15 year run with Little Anthony, and most recently Darlene Love.
Although Crowley is still formulating plans for a solo recording, he has recorded with the previously mentioned Big Bands, as well as Joeys, a Worcester R&B Big Band from the ‘90s. He has appeared on the CBS Morning Show with Little Anthony, the Boston Globe and Newport Jazz Festivals, and can be heard on the soundtrack for Cruisin NE, on NESN.
