Mike Johnston
Host, Destination OutMike Johnston is the host of 'Destination Out,' which airs each Sunday evening at 11pm. Mike also teaches music history courses at Delta College and Mid Michigan Community College.
Mike is a community volunteer who first started at WCMU in August, 1987. He is also the bassist with Faruq Z. Bey and the Northwoods Improvisers, a role he has held since 1976. He was raised in Traverse City and holds an MFA degree in Art / Photography. Mike also wrote for the Jazz Magazine from 1981 to 1999.
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On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features the works of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some early key recordings from British band, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, ranging from around 1966 to the mid 1970s. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features the work of Kali Z. Fasteau, including an interview from 2018. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some jazz musicians based out of Ohio, including Roland Kirk and Albert Ayler. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features the work recently passed Jesse Sharps, a former member and main arranger of the Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some late 60s and early 70s music belonging to the minimalist jazz genre. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features the works of three musicians with birthdays landing on the 29th and 30th of June: Julian Priester, Andrew Hill, and Stanley Clarke. -
During WCMU's 2025 Summer fundraiser, Mike Johnston spins tunes by the recently passed Louis Moholo, a South African Jazz drummer. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some works of Alto Saxophonist Noah Howard from the 60 and 70s. -
On this episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston celebrates the work of Al Foster, a great jazz drummer that passed away on May 28th, 2025.
