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Known as the Dean of New Mexico jazz guitarists, Michael Anthony lives, teaches, and performs in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, traveling often to Los Angeles to perform with friends and colleagues where he was a studio musician throughout the 1960’s and 70’s.

His credits include touring with Andy Williams, Henry Mancini, and Michele Legrand, to name a few, and long tenure with the orchestras of “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Flintstones,” among many other network television shows (e.g., Barbara Streisand, Dean Martin, Sonny and Cher). In addition, he worked countless sessions at the major recording studios for the likes of Burt Bacharach (“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head), and Diana Ross (“Theme from Mahogany”). Jazz performances include appearing with Quincy Jones, Blue Mitchell, Ray Brown, Louie Belson, and Gil Evans (accompanying Miles Davis at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival).

At sixteen Anthony was already passionately dedicated to the guitar, copying difficult licks from Les Paul’s, Barney Kessel’s, Tal Farlow’s and other guitarists’ recordings, leading to lessons and the formal study of music in college. The mentors who influenced Anthony most, however, were Howard Roberts and Joe Pass. It was an early recording session with Roberts that led to Anthony’s studio career.

Anthony applies his talent and experience as a guitarist and educator in classes and workshops at both the secondary and university levels, heading up jazz guitar studies at the University of New Mexico.