MICHAEL RAFTER recently returned from Melbourne, Australia where he supervised the music for the hit Broadway show, Jersey Boys. He has traveled the globe this past year, working on the other 6 productions of Jersey Boys as well - from Toronto and Las Vegas to Melbourne.
Sutton Foster and Michael collaborated on her first solo CD, Wish, which was released in February. Michael and Sutton performed Wish live at the Lincoln Center American Songbook series. The New York Times wrote: "Michael Rafter's subtle, glowing arrangements for 10 musicians ... created a softened 1920s sound, at once lilting and refined." Michael also co-produced Norm Lewis's solo CD, This Is The Life, and the recording of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Broadway show, Caroline, Or Change.
Michael conducted Gypsy on Broadway, as well as the TV movie starring Bette Midler, and won an Emmy award for his music direction of the movie. His recent movie credits include 2 movies with Hugh Grant, Music and Lyrics (piano/vocal coach, produced vocals) and the soon to be released Did You Hear About The Morgans? (produced vocal tracks).
He has supervised the Broadway and/or national touring companies of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sunset Boulevard, The Sound of Music, The Buddy Holly Story and the current hit Jersey Boys. On Broadway, Michael has served as music director/conductor of Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Sound of Music, The King & I and Gypsy.
Michael did the arrangements for the Broadway productions of Swing and Sweet Charity. He was one of the piano duo that played the Broadway revival of The Most Happy Fella, and worked on The Tap Dance Kid and Les Miserables as well. In addition, Michael was the music director/conductor for “The American Songbook” series at Alice Tully Hall. He was also the music director for Broadway's Best on “Bravo” where he worked with such artists as Trisha Yearwood, Kevin Bacon, Joan Osborne, Mandy Moore, Cyndi Lauper, Darius Rucker, and Shawn Colvin. As a guest conductor, Michael conducted the Memphis Symphony and the Tulsa Philharmonic for an evening of Jule Styne's music.
Michael lives in Manhattan with his wife, composer Jeanine Tesori, and their daughter Siena.
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