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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This week on Destination Out, Mike celebrates trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez, who recently passed away. Dennis would have celebrated his 67th birthday today.Also joining the broadcast is guest host Mike Khoury, a musician and record label owner who produced some of Gonzalez's music. Together, Mike and Mike feature music with Dennis in various bands, collaborating with musicians such as Alvin Fielder on drums, Charles Brackeen on saxophone, Henry Grimes on bass, and Frank Lowe on saxophone. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike and co-host Jack O'Brien feature the music of some old favorites, including John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, and Duke Ellington. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the music of saxophonist Steve Lacy, highlighting a few obscure LPs produced in the mid-70s in Japan. Most of these have never been reissued on CD since their initial release. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the music of trumpeter Roy Campbell from the 1990s to the early 2000s. This time, Mike highlights recordings Campbell made with the likes of bassist William Parker, Other Dimensions In Music, and trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the works of two South American tenor saxophonists: Gato Barbieri and Ivo Perelman. The program focuses on their recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the music of the late Eric Dolphy, whose 90th birthday just passed. Mike highlights specific works with Dolphy on the bass clarinet, alto saxophone, and flute. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike honors Father's Day by featuring the work of father and son duos of the jazz world! Highlighted artists include Ravi and John Coltrane, Charles and Charnett Moffett, Dewey and Joshua Redman, Von and Chico Freeman, and more! -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features a variety of live jazz recordings from the likes of Art Blakey, the Charles Lloyd Quartet, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, and more! -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the music of late trombonist Grachan Moncur III, who just passed away on Friday. Highlighting collaborative works with the likes of Archie Shepp and Jackie McLean. -
This week on Destination Out, Mike features the music of British pianist John Tilbury, highlighting several collaborative works with the likes of AMM and the Scratch Orchestra.
