Michael Burand 
banjo & guitar

Michael Burand grew up in southeastern Minnesota, and began playing piano at a young age. He later switched to guitar and began studying with jazz guitarist Mike James in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Michael received his music degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he studied under regional artist Billy Barnard. Michael is a highly versatile player equally comfortable with bluegrass, jazz, blues, funk, and rock. He has played regularly at The Dakota, Bar Lurcat, The Cabooze, Café Luxx, Famous Dave's, and Jazzmine's in the Twin Cities, as well as many other venues throughout the Midwest. Michael’s musical influences are varied, and his favorite bands/musicians include Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, The Band, Phish, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Victor Wooten, Willie Nelson, J. D. Crowe, and Béla Fleck, to name a few. Currently, Michael studies guitar with Mike Cramer at All Twelve Notes (www.alltwelvenotes.com), and banjo with Brian Fesler (former member of The Lonesome River Band) at The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor (www.homesteadpickinparlor.com). In addition to playing guitar and banjo for Pickin’ Up Steam, Michael is a member of the funk/jazz band Chill 7 (www.chill7.com).