MICHAEL LINGTON (Tue, 5/12/26)

Over a quarter century into one of contemporary jazz’s most exciting and storied careers, saxophonist Michael Lington continues to innovate and exhilarate, riding a fresh wave of unprecedented success with his latest (and 32nd overall) single “South Bay.” The track from his 2023 EP Looking Ahead have remained at the #1 spot on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart for six weeks and also hit #1 on all other charts in the format, including Mediabase, Smoothjazznetwork and Radiowave/groovemusic all at the same time.

Launching his career in the 90s touring with the late Bobby Caldwell and Randy Crawford, Lington’s rise in the genre began with his breakthrough album Vivid, which included the Top 5 singles “Twice in a Lifetime” and “Sunset (Por Do Sol).” After years of recording hit albums and singles for various labels, in 2014, he established his own label, Copenhagen Music, releasing Soul Appeal (which produced four hit radio singles), Second Nature and Silver Lining, an audio love letter to the city and sound of Memphis. His 13-album discography includes Alone Together, an audio companion to his weekly pandemic-era StageIt shows featuring duets with top pop and jazz artists. Throughout his career, he has performed with everyone from Michael Bolton to Barry Manilow.

Lington is currently engaged in various philanthropic activities, including performing fundraising concerts for the Children’s Starlight Foundation. He recently launched a special guest concert series called “Sax To Soul” at Spaghettini Jazz Club in Seal Beach, CA, an evening that starts with his own show and then brings on his special guests, which this year includes: Brian Culbertson, Regina Belle, Howard Hewett and Marcus Miller.