Michael Sasaki is a gifted guitarist and composer. Michael's guitar playing is distinguished by his ability to bring a vibrant creative energy to the wide array of musical styles. Michael brings an artist's sensibilities to his playing. Be it a sensitive rhythmic feel or the ability to crank it up a notch, Michael's guitar playing weaves a magic spell.

He emerged on to the music scene in 1971 as the guitarist for the San Francisco-based band, Cold Blood. A solid member of the vibrant San Francisco music scene of the 70's, Cold Blood's signature sound featured the powerful lead vocals of Lydia Pense backed by a tight group of musicians blending jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Trained as a jazz musician, Michael was selected by the band for his ability to play the jazz-funk rhythm guitar role the band needed as well as his soaring rock influenced lead guitar solos. Michael's tasty guitar work can be heard on HIroshima CD's  www.hiroshimamusic.com as well as on Cold Blood classics like the funky Down To The Bone, Baby I Love You and the up-tempo Donny Hathaway www.soultracks.com/donny_hathaway.htm instrumental Valdez In The Country. As a member of Cold Blood, Michael recorded with the legendary Memphis guitarist and Stax Records producer, Steve Cropper www.playitsteve.com , and jammed at San Francisco's Winterland with Carlos Santana www.santana.com, and Elvin Bishop  www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/ebishop.html just to name a few. Michael's passion for music has led him to explore a wide range of musical styles. Over the course of his career, Michael has been a member of such diverse groups as the rhythm and blues/pop Bill Summers and Summers Heat, The blues/country/rock Norton Buffalo and the Knockouts  www.norton-buffalo.com, a member of a big band jazz band, played juju-style Nigerian pop music and reggae. Recorded and toured with the Los Angeles based jazz/fusion group Hiroshima. Michael continues to pursue his eclectic musical tastes.. Michael further stretched his talents and creativity when he composed scores for theatre groups. He wrote additional music for an award winning independent film, Rabbit in the Moon  www.pbs.org/pov/pov1999/rabbitinthemoon/index2.html .

It is with Contemporary Music Academy he shares his passion for the guitar through teaching guitar lessons to beginners, intermediate and advanced students. He has established music lessons for kids and adults. Many of his talented students are now performing with bands and friends, using what was taught to them. Michael can be contacted for lessons at The Freedom Performance Art Center at The Pacific East Mall in Richmond, near Albany Hill. He also holds advanced lessons in Mill Valley at Mill Valley Music, 320 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, Ca 94941. sample lesson;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMhOpUT0M3k