MICHAEL HEYMAN
MICHAEL HEYMAN was born in Galveston, Texas and raised in Houston. Having been introduced by a babysitter at an early age to records by Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, the Beatles and the Beach Boys, Michael soon discovered artists such as Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Johnny Cash, the Animals, the Yardbirds, the Who, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. However, it was when he heard “Fresh Cream” that he decided that what he really wanted to do was play the guitar.
He got his first guitar together with a Mel Bay instruction book and pitch pipe when he was eleven. Determined to learn the instrument, Michael taught himself a few chords and started taking guitar lessons at the age of twelve. Although his initial repertoire consisted mainly of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary and Simon & Garfunkel, he was enamored with the heavier side of rock music and set his sights on acquiring an electric guitar. He eventually purchased a Gibson Melody Maker and Harmony amplifier and joined his first band, the Optical Illusion, featuring future Houston television news celebrity Wayne Dolcefino on drums.
Within a year, he completely immersed himself in music and began learning how to play electric lead guitar. By the age of fourteen, his playing had achieved a maturity well beyond most of his peers. A turning point happened the following year when an older neighborhood friend introduced him to “Layla and other Assorted Love Songs” by Derek & the Dominos as well as recordings by Jimi Hendrix and blues artists such as Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Freddie King, Otis Rush, T-Bone-Walker, Muddy Waters, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Magic Sam, Memphis Slim, John Mayall and Fleetwood Mac. It is in these recordings that the foundation of his style was laid.
After graduating from high school, Michael played in a rock band called Chateau with guitarist Steve Bogle (the Hunger) and later traveled to Europe where he had the opportunity to play with musicians in the U.K. and Denmark. Inspired by the deep love of the blues he found on the part of these European musicians, Michael turned his attention to the blues he first heard as a teenager.
This led to the formation of the Blues Union with bassist Calvin Hall (Carolyn Wonderland, Hightailers). The group appeared in concert with artists such as the Cobras and Lou Ann Barton and released an LP on the small Houston label Lunar # 2 Records along with internationally renowned blues artist Sherman Robertson.
Following numerous musical projects on and off the road, he decided to step up front a few years later with the Michael Heyman Group - a blues trio that sometimes featured jazz saxophonist Bruce Harrison. A highlight during this time was his association with noted British musicians Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan of the Faces for the highly successful “RONNIE LANE APPEAL FOR A.R.M.S.” concert in 1985. Later that year, Michael also had the honor of participating in an all-star jazz/blues concert with legendary saxophonist Arnett Cobb. It was during this time that he began to be recognized as an up and coming guitarist in his own right.
Following excursions into pop and arena rock, Michael returned from the road in 1986 to front a power trio called Nick Young & the Powerhouse. With Calvin Hall again on bass and Angelo Giovanni (Rainbow Bridge) on drums, Nick Young & the Powerhouse earned a reputation in both blues and rock circles as an exciting and dynamic blues-rock ensemble in the long Texas tradition of guitarists fronting blues trios. This was largely the result of concerts with artists such as Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with Mick Taylor (and later with Coco Montoya and Walter Trout), Albert Collins, James Cotton, Eric Burdon, Alvin Lee, Leslie West, Pat Travers, Nils Lofgren, Nick Lowe, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Omar & the Howlers and Marcia Ball. Nick Young & the Powerhouse were in fact the first blues act in Houston to have successfully crossed over to hard rock and metal venues. Other highlights of this period were the band's association with blues great Joe "Guitar" Hughes as his back-up band in 1986 and being selected to represent Texas rhythm & blues at the Willie Nelson/Wrangler Jeans Invitational in Austin, Texas.
In 1987, Michael returned to Europe, where he spent 14 months performing with an ensemble that often featured drummer Colin Allen, known for his work with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart, as well as members of Sweden's premier blues/rock act Sky High. Michael also often played guitar with American blues artist Big Walker. Upon returning to the United States in 1988, he retired from performing to spend time with his family.
In early 2004, Michael returned to the stage fronting a series of blues outfits that often featured a horn section, keys and double bass. Having spent much time listening to jazz artists such as Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson and Kenny Burrell, his playing now incorporated a more sophisticated jazzier flavor while still retaining the raw emotion of black blues and the power and sound of classic rock guitar.
Michael released his debut CD "Heart Full of Blues" in June 2005, featuring guest performances by internationally acclaimed blues artists Sonny Boy Terry and Trudy Lynn. Since then, the passion and artistry of Michael's playing has won critical acclaim throughout the United States and around the world. He has been and continues to be a featured artist on blues radio programs both in the U.S. and around the world.