Brush Street featuring Julie Mulady: Bio
Michael Brush - Keyboardist/Vocalist/Songwriter
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Well known throughout Michigan’s Tri-Cities, keyboardist and vocalist Michael Brush has earned a solid reputation as a jazz and blues performer, composer, and educator. With experience extending back to the garage band era of the mid-60’s (the Paupers), time has found Mike on a number of routes. A songwriter and arranger from the start, he has devoted his talents to many personal, educational, collaborative, and community centered creative projects. For the past thirty years he has balanced the demands of teaching music in the Saginaw Public School District and performance. Mike was the director of the Voice/Keyboard Department at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy from 1999-2010.
In 1985, Mike released Exposed, his first album of original jazz-influenced songs. The album received positive critical response and local airplay. More importantly, it helped establish him as a songwriter. He was soon invited to compose music for Saginaw’s Pit and Balcony Theater, which resulted in the musical composition of four original productions.
In 1994, the socially conscious cassette, songbook and classroom guide, titled Songs For Us was released. The recording coincided with the formation of the Saginaw Kids All-City Choir and featured a collaborative effort with LA City Kidz, a choir also formed to promote unity through song. 'Saginaw Kids' with singers from fifteen of Saginaw’s then twenty-four elementary schools offered a real representation of the diversity in Saginaw, while being the embodiment of the social nature of the songs. The group was embraced by many community groups and was invited to perform frequently. Some of these songs and others that followed resulted in the production of music videos featuring the ‘Saginaw Kids’ and were frequently aired on Saginaw Educational Television, SETV. Mike has also written songs for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Saginaw County, the United Way of Saginaw County, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Original choral compositions and arrangements continue to be written for the talented Voice/Keyboard classes at S.A.S.A.
In recognition of his work with young people, Mike received the Herman W. Coleman Human Relations Award from the Michigan Education Association, an All Area Arts Award from the Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission, and the Unity Award from the Los Angeles Unified School District. These awards were received in 1997. He served as the Grand Marshall of the 1996 Saginaw Pride Parade and received the Saginaw News' Crystal Apple Award in 2006. Since its inception in 1986, Mike has been a perennial recipient at the Bay Area Review Magazine Music Awards in the jazz and blues categories.
Jordan Chuck Edwards - Drums
Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Jordan graduated from Louisiana Technical University with an Instrumental Music Education Degree, majoring in Percussion/Piano. He moved to Michigan in 1999, continuing his twenty-seven year career as a band instructor. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. He has also served as a clinician and adjudicator of festivals and competitions.
Jordan has performed with The Drifters, The Coasters, The Marvelettes, The Supremes, The Platters, and Otis Williams' Temptations. Performed with the Saginaw/Bay Symphony and The Shreveport Symphony.
In addition to performing with Brush Street, Jordan performs with Soul Street, the Dave Tatrow Band, and the newly formed Saginaw Elite Big Band. Depending on the group, he performs on either keyboard or drums. Jordan also performs as a solo pianist.
Currently Jordan serves as Minister of Music for Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.
Married eighteen wonderful years, he is the father of two beautiful daughters, and is the proud grandfather of two charming granddaughters.
Julie Mulady - Vocalist
For the past ten years, Julie has gained a reputation as a popular singer/actress in the Saginaw area. Credits include the Saginaw Choral Society, Saginaw Symphony Orchestra, a soloist with the Saginaw Eddy Band and numerous engagements with pianist Ralph Furlo. Julie was featured in a January 2004 concert entitled, "Julie Mulady-Broadway and More" at First Presbyterian Church in Saginaw. Janet Martineau of the Saginaw News named Julie's concert as one of the top ten arts events in 2004. A favorite among theatre patrons, Julie has delighted audiences in productions at Midland Theatre Guild and Pit and Balcony Theatre. Julie is an elementary school teacher for the Saginaw Public Schools She resides in Saginaw, MI.
Jerry Cameron - Bassist
Jerry has a long list of credits to his bass playing experience. His history with the string bass starts at 15 years old. He was the principal bassist in the Dondero High School orchestra and symphony band (Royal Oak, MI). That same year he began playing bass with his fathers 17 piece jazz band playing several Detroit venues.
He received an orchestra scholarship and attended the Interlochen Arts Academy his senior year of high school, with classmates Chris Brubeck and Peter Erskine leading towards an increased interest in jazz. After graduation, Jerry studied orchestral bass with Frank Sinco of the Detroit Symphony. He received a scholarship to Central Michigan University where he received a degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies. While at the university he was the principal bassist with the orchestra and was also a member of the faculty chamber orchestra. He was also a member of the Saginaw and Midland Symphonies and was hired by Alma College to sit first chair in their orchestra.
After college, Jerry served as an Engineering Officer in the US Navy. While serving and raising his family, he continued to work on his jazz studies. After the Navy, he worked on several cruise ships and then worked in Nashville as the band leader for an upcoming female singer.
Jerry currently resides in Mancelona, MI and plays jazz all over the state. He is a common figure in various Jazz Festivals and jazz clubs. He teaches a few select students in the Tri-Cities, the art of classical and jazz performance on the string bass.
Matt Corrigan - Guitar
In 1988, Corrigan was "dubbed" the outstanding instrumental music graduate from the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1988-89, attending master classes with jazz/rock legends Pat Metheny and Steve Smith.
Matt soon transferred to Bowling Green State University where he earned a degree in jazz/classical guitar performance. He studied with Chris Buzzelli and participated in master classes with Mike Stern and Alice Artzt.
In 2005, Matt finished his Master of Music Degree at Central Michigan University. He has been sharing his love of music with young people since 2000 when he accepted a position in the Saginaw Public Schools as an elementary general music teacher. Since the fall of 2009, Matt has been the Director of Instrumental Music at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy.
Corrigan has had the privilege of performing at numerous mid-Michigan venues and theatres. Freelance work at the Midland Center for the Arts includes "Les Miz and More" as well as "Camelot." Mr. Corrigan has also appeared on Public Television's "From Manhattan to Midland at Molly's."
Matt resides in Midland County with his family.
