MVTimes Online - The Martha's Vineyard Times: Island News Now

Michael Haydn, music man. Photo by Sarah Piazza

This past summer musician Michael Haydn emerged as a visible musical talent on the Island’s performing arts scene. His season began on May 7 at Featherstone Center for the Arts and continued through a series of performances this fall at the Kevin Butler art gallery on Dock Street in Edgartown, where he played a baby grand piano during art openings. Positive audience response extended his initial weekend engagement to a five-week run.

Mr. Haydn played more than 40 songs, interpreting classics from the 52nd Street era of the 40s and 50s like “My Foolish Heart,” “If You Could See Me Now,” Duke Ellington’s “Prelude To A Kiss,” and other vintage gems. He also performed several weekends in the intimate atmosphere of the Lambert’s Cove Inn.

Mr. Haydn cites Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, Ray Flanigan, and Herbie Hancock as influences. He draws inspiration from jazz greats and works these influences into his own original compositions. In 2001 he released “5x5,” a collection of songs recorded with guitar, vocals, harmonica, and electric bass. Mr. Haydn performed all of the musical parts on the recording. While “5x5” is a collection of vintage covers, Mr. Haydn is also an original composer and songwriter.

“Lately I’ve been writing and thinking about my writing,” he says.

Mr. Haydn is hoping to expand his performing radius off-Island, particularly to the Northampton area. He also is keeping an eye on next summer’s season.

“I would hope to play more on Martha’s Vineyard, and I’m taking it one step at a time.”

Mr. Haydn’s first widespread musical exposure came when he appeared as the guitar player during the beach-fire scene at the beginning of “Jaws.” For those who have wondered what tune he was playing during the scene, Mr. Haydn reveals that it is a familiar classic of the era: Bob Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline.” While “Jaws” may have given him cinematic exposure as a musician, it is likely to be his original compositions and jazz stylings that give Mr. Haydn his distinct markings as a musical artist.