Michael Lington

Early life

Lington was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he began his career at age seven as a clarinetist. He was a member of the Tivoli Boys Guard for seven years (1978–1985), receiving a gold medal for his formal music education. At 15, influenced by saxophonists David Sanborn and King Curtis and by American soul artists like Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett and Ray Charles, he switched to saxophone. After attending college, he co-owned a recording studio with songwriter John Hatting while touring Europe, performing on several of Denmark's Eurovision song contest entries.

He won First Prize in 1987 and the Gold Prize in 1988 in a Danish newspaper music competition judged by Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. In 1990, at age 21, he moved to Los Angeles with the assistance of drummer Mark Schulman, became involved in LA's contemporary jazz scene, and toured with Bobby Caldwell for four years (1994–1998) and with Randy Crawford for three years (1998–2001).

Solo Career

Lington signed his first recording contract in 1996 with Nugroove Records and released his self-titled debut album in 1997, which produced the hit 'Tell It Like It Is' (feat. Bobby Caldwell), a Top 10 R&R NAC/Smooth jazz song and a Top 20 R&R Adult Contemporary song. In 2000, he signed with Gold Circle Records and released his second album, Vivid, which produced two R&R charting singles: 'Twice In A Lifetime' (#2) and 'Sunset (Por Do Sol)' (#4). In 2004, he signed with Rendezvous Music and released Stay With Me (2004) and A Song For You (2006); Stay With Me produced three Top 5 R&R charting singles: 'Show Me' (#2), 'Two Of A Kind' (#2), and 'Pacifica' (#6).

In 2008, he re-signed with Nugroove Records and released Heat, which reached the Top 5 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz albums sales chart and was chosen as Jazztrax's 2008 Album of the Year; its lead single 'You and I' reached #2 on R&R's Smooth Jazz radio chart. In 2012, he released Pure on Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records, featuring guest artists including Michael Bolton, and produced the Billboard Top 5 radio single 'Road Trip,' which also hit #1 on the instrumental radio chart.

Silver Lining

Lington's tenth solo album, Silver Lining, was released June 8, 2018 on Copenhagen Music. The lead-off track and first single, 'City Life,' featuring Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics on guitar, was #2 Most Added at Contemporary/Smooth Jazz Radio its first week. The second single, 'Deja Vu,' was released to radio October 22, 2018.

Lington and his producer, Barry Eastmond, co-wrote nine songs for Silver Lining. Participating musicians included Paul Jackson Jr., Ray Parker Jr., Freddie Washington, Alex Al, Teddy Campbell, Lenny Castro, and FunkBrother Jack Ashford. Stax soul legend William Bell sings lead on Lington's version of the Curtis Mayfield-penned 'People Get Ready,' and Dorian Holley handles vocals on the classic Tower of Power hit 'So Very Hard to Go.' The album was recorded live at several studios, including Sunset Sound in Los Angeles and Royal Studios in Memphis.

Touring

Lington has toured regularly his entire career, averaging 60-80 shows per year. From 2010 to 2013, he joined Michael Bolton on tour as his opening act and special guest, performing over 350 shows together in more than 40 countries at venues including Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Universal Amphitheatre, and the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington, D.C. (where they performed for President Bill Clinton). In February 2016, Barry Manilow invited Lington to join his 'One Last Time' arena tour; Lington opened the show and joined Manilow on the song 'Brooklyn Blues.'

In April 2018, it was announced that Lington would join Manilow once again as his opening act starting June 8 at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. In November 2016, Lington performed for the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame ceremony, honoring 2016 inductee Charles Lloyd. In December 2019, he joined the Dave Koz and Friends; Gifts Of The Season Christmas tour alongside Koz, Jonathan Butler, Melissa Manchester and Chris Walker.

Did You Know?

• Lington performed at the Royal Wedding of Denmark's future king, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary Donaldson at Fredensborg Castle.
• He is the grandson of Danish composer and band leader Otto Lington.
• Lington's duet with Aaron Neville, 'That's When You Save Me,' tied that year as JazzTrax Best Vocal Song of the Year.