Sizzling jazz fusion influenced by Chick Corea,
blending Latin flair with fiery improvisations.
The Wizard of Odd by Mike Prigodich
("A Stitch In Time")
featured on CBS Radio WXRT (93 XRT Chicago)
Best of 2012 Playlist Jazz Transfusion show hosted by Barry Winograd
television highlights
OPB Oregon Art Beat -- featured on 2011 show produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting
what people are saying
"Wonderful. Beautiful. Really great. Wow, Mike. Great writing, man." -- Chick Corea
"Killin’ Mike! Chick lives within and without you. Thanks for carrying on the mission." -- Bill Rooney (former Artist Manager for Chick Corea)
"I knew this guy was up to something; what a great disc! Beautifully written and played with passion and intensity by an excellent band. This is one of those CDs that you want to hear again as soon as it's finished. Bravo Mike!" -- George Whitty (Brecker Brothers)
"Watch out for this guy! Mike is terribly brave, adventurous, playful, and adept. As his compositions and playing demonstrate, Mr. Prigodich is a rising talent following his creative muse fearlessly to wherever it takes him." -- David Goldblatt (Tribal Tech)
"Way cool! Great band too! You play great man." -- Steve Lukather (Toto, Michael Jackson)
"Very cool Mike!! Love the bridge and the keyboard solo. You can definitely play!!" -- Steve Porcaro (Toto, Michael Jackson)
"Fantastic work by all! Great writing and playing. Well done! Great sounds too." -- Todd Sucherman (Styx)
"Sounds killing, man! I love your music." -- Mike Pope (Chick Corea, Al Di Meola)
“Playing your ass off!! Super!! Great band!!” -- Gumbi Ortiz (Al Di Meola)
“Yeah MP & Co.! Great to hear you tearing it up, man!” -- Joe Locke
“Totally crushing Mike! Still lifted from seeing you all! Great writing, playing from all, blend, piano sound, rapport. Inspiring man!” -- David Goldblatt
"This band is top shelf; they were super tight and super exciting." -- George Colligan (Jack DeJohnette, Lenny White)
"I definitely hear a Chick influence in your playing and writing. I'm flattered that you cite me as an influence." -- Andy Milne (Dapp Theory)
album reviews
Jazz Chill Music “Acclaimed jazz fusion pianist and composer Mike Prigodich is set to unveil his latest recording, Stage Magic, a dynamic live album that captures the high-energy brilliance of his music in its purest form. Recorded live on November 23, 2024, at Classic Pianos in Portland, OR, Stage Magic showcases Prigodich's innovative artistry and the masterful synergy of his all-star ensemble. Stage Magic is a sonic journey brimming with inventive melodies, rhythmic complexity, and a deep sense of play. From the mesmerizing syncopations of “The Wizard of Odd” to the reflective beauty of “Haiku,” the recording captures a group of top-tier musicians at the height of their improvisational powers.”
Paris Move “Nothing is left to chance. Each instrument, each melodic line, each rhythmic pivot follows a deliberate, almost architectural logic. And yet, despite the sophisticated frameworks, the music never loses its emotional immediacy. That is perhaps the album’s greatest strength: its ability to marry structural complexity with sonic clarity. Certain refrains, though harmonically intricate, linger in the listener’s memory with surprising ease. One is reminded of those exceptional records produced in the 1980s and early 2000s, where virtuosity served the music rather than overshadowed it. And yet, this is not a retro exercise, this album is firmly planted in the 21st century.
But this album is more than a solo feat, it is a testament to collective musical intelligence. Prigodich surrounds himself with extraordinary musicians whose individual contributions are unmistakable yet always in service to the greater whole. That delicate balance—between singular expression and ensemble unity, gives the album a depth and richness that verge on the orchestral.Ultimately, this record stands as a benchmark, one that may well reshape how jazz fusion is approached in the 21st century. It will no doubt resonate with aficionados of complex compositions, but also with anyone who believes that music, at its core, is a human journey. For the next generation of jazz musicians, it offers something increasingly rare: a model of artistic integrity, unshaken by trend or compromise, rooted in conviction, and all the more powerful for it.”
All About Jazz "Prigodich is an excellent keyboardist, but it's his writing that really stands out. There is a liveliness and emotional connection to much of this music that makes it immediately endearing. His band is tight and funky, with an ability to groove that puts many better-known fusion outfits to shame."
Audiophile Audition "What do Chick Corea and Spinal Tap have in common? That would be Portland keyboardist Mike Prigodich."
No Treble "The album’s intriguing melodies, odd time signatures, and ear-bending harmonies make it a stand-out album in the world of fusion."
The Virginian-Pilot "11 musically adventurous/challenging tracks that are, at times, mind-boggling in their intensity."
Inside MusiCast Album Of The Day on Monday, June 13, 2011 -- "A tour de force that would certainly get the respect of Prigodich’s muse Chick Corea. In the tradition of The Yellowjackets, The Brecker Brothers, Hiromi and others, the 11 tracks on A STITCH IN TIME cover a vast fusion landscape of complex proportions that’ll have you wondering how an artist like Mike Prigodich could ever consider sitting on the sidelines. The entire project is an incredibly satisfying ride."
All About Jazz "Prigodich speaks a musical language all his own, one born of a voice that elevates his instrument far beyond its realm into one where mystery and magic meet."
Sea Of Tranquility "Prigodich infuses every second of his debut album [with] style, grace, and wonderful musicality. [His] affirmation for life comes through with every note, and the album feels like a celebration of music."
The Urban Flux "This is what great music and musicianship is all about."
Music Life and Times "Listen for the precision of the compositions, for the cohesion of the band and for the sheer enjoyment of smoking Jazz. It is impossible to get enough of these guys."
concert reviews
JazzTimes "Mike offers melodic breadth with very defined piano craft. He is an astonishing musician and a brilliant composer. His original works are studies in precision. They are demanding and they require the very best of musicians to perform them. He has gathered the best of the best and the results are scintillating."
David Goldblatt “Totally crushing Mike! Still lifted from seeing you all! Great writing, playing from all, blend, piano sound, rapport. Inspiring man!”
George Colligan's blog post about the Portland Jazz Scene (part 1)
George Colligan's blog post about the Portland Jazz Scene (part 2)
in the press
more album reviews
Jazz & Blues Report (Sept. 2011 issue 337 page 16)
Smooth-jazz.de (from Germany)
Bass Guitar Magazine UK (Sept. 2011 issue 70 page 64)
JazzNYT (in Danish)