Michael Brush

Mike - photo by Gregg

 Michael Brush is most recognized as a jazz  and blues pianist, music educator, and  composer. His fifty year musical history  extends back to the garage band era band,  “the Paupers” and has continued to his  current group, “Brush Street featuring Julie  Mulady”. He has devoted his talents to  many personal, educational, collaborative,  and community-centered creative projects  over the years.

 As an educator in the Saginaw Public School  District, Mike taught elementary school  music (1978-1990), developed and directed  the Saginaw Kids All-City Choir (1994-99),  served as director of the Voice/Keyboard  Department at the Saginaw Arts and  Sciences Academy (1999-2010), and has  been an adjunct teacher at Delta College  and SVSU – retiring from teaching in 2010.

 In 1997 he was recognized for his work  with young people by receiving  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.  In 1996, he served as the Grand Marshall of the Saginaw Pride Parade, and in 2006 received the prestigious Saginaw News' Crystal Apple Award. He and his musical associates and groups have received well over 60 Review Awards, a readers' poll, since their inception in 1984. 

Mike was honored in a first-of its-kind event: “Melodies & Memories, A Community Tribute to Michael C. Brush" sponsored by the Saginaw Public Schools Foundation and SASA in October 2011. The evening chronicled his life in education and music, complete with performances of his music, a State of Michigan Special Tribute Proclamation and Saginaw City Council ‘s Proclamation of October 17, 2011 as Michael C. Brush Day.

Mike has produced 4 CDs, one LP, an educational cassette/classroom guide set, and published a collection of his song lyrics. He has composed music for young people, various performing ensembles, musical theatre, and numerous civic organizations and events.

Since his “retirement”, Mike produced one of the CDs, the book, has arranged music for five concerts at Bay City’s State Theatre for “Brush Street with Brass and Strings”, has been a featured guest performer with the Saginaw Choral Society and the Bijou Orchestra, and continues to perform regularly.

He and Kathleen have two children, four granddaughters, and have enjoyed 43 years of marriage.

 For the past twenty years, Julie has gained  an outstanding reputation as a popular  singer/actress in the Saginaw area. Credits  include soloist features with the Saginaw Choral Society, Saginaw Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Eddy Band, and the Michigan Jazz Trail Big Band.

 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.

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.