Saxophonist Mike Burton LIVE at The Velvet Note

SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Michael Burton is an acclaimed saxophonist, producer, and educator known for his soulful, genre-blending sound across jazz, R&B, and gospel. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, he was raised in a musical household that shaped his expressive tone and artistic foundation from an early age. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Jazz Studies from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied under legendary educator David Baker and performed with the IU Soul Revue.
Over his career, Burton has performed with icons including Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Anita Baker, and is currently touring with Usher, Doja Cat, and Patti LaBelle. As a recording artist, he has contributed to projects across jazz, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop, collaborating with artists including The Jacksons, PJ Morton, Lecrae, Kelly Rowland, and Kirk Franklin, among others.
As a solo artist, Burton is focused on building a distinct voice rooted in space, emotion, and storytelling through sound. His latest release, “Downtime,” reflects that direction—an introspective, mood-driven piece that highlights restraint as much as expression, and showcases his evolving identity beyond the stage and studio work with other artists.
He is also a dedicated educator and mentor, having served as an Artist-in-Residence in the U.S. Virgin Islands and continuing to shape the next generation of musicians while remaining based in the Atlanta area.