Mike Pardew

Instructor of Jazz Guitar

Email: pardew@lclark.edu

Website: www.mikepardew.com

Portland-based Guitarist and composer Mike Pardew began his professional performing career in his teens, starting as a rhythm guitarist in many Blues, R&B/Funk, and wedding bands. He is currently the artist in residence at Nel Centro, in the heart of downtown Portland, where the Mike Pardew Trio performs jazz every Friday and Saturday.  Mike has released two albums of original pieces as a leader: “Transgression” comprised of duets with John Stowell, and “Azul” with Damian Erskine on bass and Micah Kassell on drums.  He toured with the award-winning band, Eleven Eyes, from 2002 through May of 2009, is featured on their albums “Depth Perception,” “Scope,” and will appear on their next release as well.

Throughout the years of 2000 and 2001, Mike was a resident of Oviedo, Asturias in Northern Spain. During this time in Spain, he performed throughout the Northern cities of La Coruna, Oviedo, Santander, and Pendueles. The experience forged a strong presence of Spanish and Cuban music in Mike’s compositions, as he was immersed in the community of Cuban musicians living throughout Northern Spain.

Mike has actively worked an instructor specializing in Jazz Guitar since 1995. He has been on faculty at Lewis and Clark College since 2003, specializing in Jazz and Folk Guitar.  Mike has also served on faculty at various Portland area colleges including Mt. Hood Community College and University of Portland.  Since 2002, he has taught at the WOU/Mel Brown Summer Jazz Workshop.  Additionally, Mike teaches at his own music school in SE Portland, Cadenza Academy, which he started in 2005.  Mike earned a bachelor of arts in Honors Spanish Literature and a bachelor of music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon, where he was the sole recipient of the 2004 award for 'Outstanding Undergraduate Jazz Performer.'