:: Lobby & Pianobar entertainers ::

MIKE ARCHER

MICK ARCHER - pianobar entertainer

Beginning his professional career while still in grade school, Mick Archer has played in virtually every music venue in the greater Chicago area during his 25+ years in the music business.

Classically trained (American Conservatory, B.A., University of Illinois), Archer has established a career that encompasses blues, jazz, rock, Celtic, country and folk music as a pianist, singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter and bandleader. He has performed throughout the country and Europe. He has recorded two albums of original material and worked as a session player on numerous recording projects and jingles. As an opening act, he's worked with Ray Charles, Jay Leno, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Styx, Ted Nugent, and The Dells, and as a sideman with The Drifters, The Platters, Tito Puente, Sugar Blue and Bill Acosta.

In 1989, Archer was hired at the Baja Beach Club at Chicago's famous North Pier and began the "dueling pianos" phase of his career. Teaming up with outstanding pianists/singers from across the country, he developed a unique form of cabaret entertainment that is now popular throughout the country. A combination of sing-a-long, improv comedy, requests, parodies, straight-ahead rock 'n roll, jazz standards, and dance music, it's a show that pleases audiences of all ages.

In addition to nightclubs, Mick Archer's dueling pianos have been successfully presented on college campuses, at trade shows and conventions, and corporate/civic events of all sizes. In addition to the dueling piano act, Archer can provide solo piano entertainment, along with ensembles of all sizes and styles.

He is also leader of The Chicago Rovers, an Irish party band, and a member of The Sevilles, a rockabilly band.