Michael Gillespie

From Les Miserables to Sammy Davis Junior to playing a Commonwealth Games Royal Command performance in front of the Queen at just 23, Michael Gillespie’s life as a professional guitarist has encompassed a very broad range of musical performance and accounts for his status as one of the most sought-after and versatile professional guitarists today

Education

Michael was admitted to The Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he completed an Associate Diploma of Music (Jazz) where he graduated at top of his class.

He is also an Examiner with the Australian Music Education Board (Contemporary and Popular Music syllabus) and a qualified Arranger with the Music Arrangers Guild of Australia (MAGA).

While in England he attended masterclasses with some of the finest Jazz guitarists in the world including Martin Taylor (UK), Jimmy Bruno (USA) and Mundell Lowe (USA) as well as studying Advanced Jazz Guitar Technique with Esmond Selwyn (UK).

Recognition

He has also played the guitar parts on a huge number of recorded TV shows, ads, jingles and film soundtracks – so you have probably already heard Michael play without knowing it!

His contribution to music in Queensland was recognised in 1994 when he was voted Variety Club Queensland Musician of the Year.

"Michael has the vast array of styles that works well with the Orchestra."

Michael Christie
Conductor in Residence
The Queensland Orchestra

Dear Mick
"It has been a great pleasure working with you and many thanks for your consistently first rate playing of this very difficult chair. You have played this better than anyone else on the Australian tour and I look forward to working with you again soon. Regards"

Stephen Amos
Musical Director and Conductor
Les Miserables and Mamma Mia

Travelling

Michael has toured extensively both as part of cultural exchanges and corporate shows that have performed in Japan and Thailand.

In 2003 Michael and his family moved to the UK for a year – and this was to prove a re-awakening of his interest in jazz guitar and particularly fingerstyle jazz guitar.

Performance History

During his career Michael has played with some of the cream of Australia’s (and the world’s) entertainment and music scene, including Simon Gallaher, Todd McKenney, Sir Tommy Tycho, Monica Trapega, Debra Byrne, Grace Knight, Max Lambert, Rolf Harris, Julie Anthony, Michael Christie, Thelma Houston and many other household names.

Musicals

Michael has also been the first call guitarist for most of the major musicals that have come to Brisbane.

These include:

Les Miserable
Mamma Mia
Chicago
Annie
The Boy from Oz
Jolson
Dirty Dancing
Kiss Me Kate
Singing in the Rain
Crazy for You DUSTY

Family

He divides his time between working as a freelance guitarist, arranger and composer and teacher. Michael lives in Brisbane, Australia with his wife Jill and children Thomas and Kate.