Mike Johnston
Host, Destination OutMike Johnston is the host of 'Destination Out,' which airs each Sunday evening at 11pm. Mike also teaches music history courses at Delta College and Mid Michigan Community College.
Mike is a community volunteer who first started at WCMU in August, 1987. He is also the bassist with Faruq Z. Bey and the Northwoods Improvisers, a role he has held since 1976. He was raised in Traverse City and holds an MFA degree in Art / Photography. Mike also wrote for the Jazz Magazine from 1981 to 1999.
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On this week’s episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston pays tribute to jazz giant Sonny Rollins following his passing at age 95, featuring selections from across Rollins’ remarkable career alongside music by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Andrew Hill, Don Cherry, Eric Dolphy, and others who helped shape the evolution of modern jazz. -
On this week’s episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston explores 1950s bebop with a focus on alto saxophone players inspired by Charlie Parker, featuring music from Jackie McLean, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Miles Davis, George Russell, and Charlie Parker himself, alongside later avant-garde and free jazz selections from artists including Steve Lacy, Don Cherry, Masada String Trio, and Phil Cohran. -
On this week’s episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features music from Blue Note Tone Poet releases alongside selections from artists including Andrew Hill, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Bobby Hutcherson, and John Coltrane.
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On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some previously unreleased music by Cecil Taylor from 1969. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features various music from the career of vocalist Jeanne Lee. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features music by Randy Weston, including some new releases from some 1980s festival performances in Europe. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features some works by drummer Billy Hart, along with other artists such as pianist McCoy Tyner, and saxophonists Wayne Shorter and Billy Harper. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features recordings of three pioneering bebop piano players from the late 40s and early 50s: Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Herbie Nichols. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features the work of Jimmy Lyons, a great Alto saxophonist that passed away in the 80s. -
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston celebrates the WCMU spring fundraiser, and plays a wide variety of artists including John Coltrane, Roswell Rudd, Eddie Gale, and more.
