ON THE SCENE

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Over a quarter century into one of contemporary jazz’s most exciting and storied careers, saxophonist Michael Lington continues to innovate and exhilarate. 

Riding high on the success of his 2024 single “South Bay,” which made history as one of the longest running (seven weeks) #1 singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart, the Danish born saxophonist initially considered following his hit 2023 EP Looking Ahead (his first shorter form release after 12 albums) with another full-length project. Yet when he began composing new songs with some favorite collaborators, they felt more like a continuation of Looking Ahead rather than, as he calls it, representative of “a brand-new situation.” As the sessions took shape, it became clear that the five tracks on Lington’s new EP On the Scene collectively create the ideal companion piece to the vibe his fans so powerfully embraced on the earlier release.  

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 14 album discography also includes Alone Together, an audio companion to his weekly pandemic era StageIt shows featuring duets with top soul and jazz artists. He is currently hosting his own weekly radio show on smoothjazz247.com and throughout his career, has performed with everyone from Michael Bolton to Barry Manilow.

Lington is engaged in various philanthropic activities, including performing fundraising concerts for the Children’s Starlight Foundation. In 2024 he 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: Boney James, Ruben Studdard, Kandace Springs and Kenny Lattimore.