Carl Michel began playing the cornet in high school band, but picked up the guitar after being inspired by many rock and blues guitarists. He began playing jazz during his college years in Minneapolis and Austin, involving himself in music projects in both cities as well as a three-year stint in Madison, WI. Michel moved to Ann Arbor, MI, collaborating with many area musicians on his 1988 CD The Carl Michel Group, 1989's Food of Love, and continued in 2000 with the similarly titled The Carl Michel Group (+). ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide