Michael Kaplan

Michael Kaplan is a Jazz Guitarist and a multi faceted musician. A classically trained guitarist with a Masters Degree in Jazz, he has performed, taught, and recorded in every musical style from Rock, Funk, Blues, and Metal, Classical, R & B, Country, Broadway and Reggae. Michael was born in New Jersey and as a child studied percussion, bass, trumpet, and piano. At the age of 7 he moved to New York where he eventually settled on the guitar.

While attending The University of Miami, Mr. Kaplan studied with internationally acclaimed guitarist Juan Mercadal, who also trained world-renowned guitarists Steve Morse and Manuel Barrueco. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Guitar he started performing and teaching in the South Florida area. Some of his performing credits include playing with Alfred ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Rich Little, and The Average White Band. He also had the honor of playing under the baton of Michael Kamen.

Michael received his Master’s Degree in Jazz Guitar from Florida International University. While there he played with world-renowned trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Mr. Kaplan has been an instructor at Miami Dade College, Barry University, Broward College, and Florida Atlantic University. In addition, he was artist in residence at The Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory in Kathmandu, Nepal where he was head of the Guitar and Bass Department. He has taught courses in Jazz and Pop History, Music Theory, Chamber Music, Jazz Guitar Ensembles, Classical Guitar Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and Improvisation Workshops. In addition, he has judged competitions, juries, and listened to and selected prospective students for many universities.

Currently, he is the director of The American Guitar Academy where he teaches guitar as well as booking and promoting concerts and clinics from some of today’s best musicians. Michael has also worked on and transcribed a play along book on guitar comping with Jamey Aebersold and Dr. Mike Diliddo. Mr. Kaplan has just released his new bebop guitar transcription book on Berklee Press/Hal Leonard and is currently working on his next book.