Michael Santosusso
Michael Santosusso grew up in rural New Jersey and his earliest musical interests ranged
from Kiss to Jesus Christ Superstar. Inspired by what is now called "classic rock", Mike
began strumming away on his father's guitar but after a short time he put the instrument
aside in favor of formal instruction on the trumpet. After a few years, Mike made the
switch to bass guitar and landed the bass chair in his middle school jazz band.
"I loved the drive without the drums, the jazz-like spirit of improvisation, the cool vocal harmonies, and the fact that the music sounded like the musicians were really having a great time."
The following year he picked up the double bass and joined the school orchestra. In high school Mike also played in a wide variety of bands including "Electric Haze" (classic rock), "The Cellar Dwellers" (pop/top 40) and "The DTs" (punk/alternative). During the same time, Mike also played bass for community theater groups on shows like "Bye Bye, Birdie", "They're Playing Our Song", and "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".Mike's first exposure to bluegrass was a vinyl copy of "Old And In The Way". Mike remembers, "I loved the drive without the drums, the jazz-like spirit of improvisation, the cool vocal harmonies, and the fact that the music sounded like the musicians were really having a great time."
In 1993, Mike moved to Vermont after falling in love with his future wife and the city of Burlington. Soon after arriving, Mike co-founded the newgrass/jam band "Smokin' Grass", which toured nationally, released two critically acclaimed CDs and appeared on numerous CD compilations. While performing with "Smokin' Grass", Mike got the chance to share the stage with some of his bass heroes like Rick Danko, Mike Gordon, and Alphonso Johnson. Mike also had the honor of playing with some great special guests like Abigail Wasburn, Mark Vann, Tony Trischka and Peter Rowan.
Since then, Mike has appeared on "Pickin' On Jack Johnson", an instrumental bluegrass tribute to the surfer-turned-pop star (CMH Records), "Paintbrush" by award winning singer/songwriter Diane Zeigler, and several other independant CD releases. Mike has also returned to "the pit", providing bass for local theater productions of "Suessical, The Musical", "42nd Street", and "West Side Story".
Mike sings tenor and lead with Big Spike and says his motto is "sing high, play low". Mike plays a 1941 Cleveland American Standard bass (serial number 787) that was restored by Pete Langdell in 2004. He lives in South Burlington, Vermont. Contact Mike at mike@bigspikebluegrass.com.