Mike Laatz

Mike Laatz is an experienced and enthusiastic saxophonist, specializing in mellow, melodic standards, who occasionally ventures into wild and wooly rock ‘n roll, to, in his words, "blow the cobwebs out of the saxes".  He started playing drums at the age of 12, and saxophone at 16.  He taught himself to read music at a young age, and has had a long and varied music career, having played with virtually all the well-known jazz musicians in both Durban and Cape Town.

Mike has played tenor sax with George Haydn’s big band in Durban, and also fronted his own jazz band. He has headlined at Jazz at the Nassau, Cape Town, with the Andrew Ford trio. He plays lead alto sax with Roderick Connoly Big Band, and has played with them at various top venues, including the Baxter Theatre. Together with guitarist Gary Kriel, Mike was chosen to perform the jazz component on the RMS St Helena’s last music tour.

Apart from playing (solo, or as with selected ensembles) for dozens of corporate functions and weddings, Mike has been part of Gilbert Lang’s Evergreen Showband for a significant period, with a weekly residency in Tyger Valley, and together with Pianist Eddie Kirkwood, he has maintained a weekly residence at both branches of Jakes (up-market Cape Town restaurants). 

Other achievements include:

• Recorded with Jack van Poll as guest artist on his first released CD (with Andrew Ford, Basil Moses,  Kevin Gibson and Cecily Pepler).
• His CDs have been chosen as “Album of the week” by 3 South African radio stations
• His CD with the Andrew Ford trio was chosen as a promotional tool by the Pam Golding Group
• He has recorded with Eddie Kirkwood…once again, “Album of the week” on Radio 2000
• He is also highly sought-after as a session saxophonist, and has recorded with several vocalists
• His CDs are available both locally and overseas.

Mike performs as Soloist, or as a Duo with Eddie Kirkwood (keyboards) and additional musicians can be arranged as required.