Michael Janisch (born February 2, 1979) is an American bassist, producer, composer and the owner of the record label Whirlwind Recordings. He was nominated for a MOBO Award in 2016 in the category Best Jazz Act. Life and career Born in Red Wing, Minnesota and raised in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, Janisch started playing piano at age four and electric bass at age 10. He was equally active in sports throughout his teenage years, mainly American football and track and field, and after high school received a scholarship to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato where he majored in history and played football (running back) and ran track and field (sprinter). An injury in his third season prompted his return to music and a transfer to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he concentrated on double bass. In 2000, he accepted a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After earning a degree, Janisch relocated to New York City and soon after London, England, the result of meeting his English wife Sarah. In November 2008, Janisch, along with co-leader and alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius released Traveling Song the debut and only album from the TransAtlantic Collective (TAC), a contemporary jazz ensemble that operated on the international scene during the years 2005-2009, and in that time performed concerts across the US, UK and Europe. During their tours, the TAC featured many notable musicians from both the US and Europe, including pianists Kristjan Randalu, John Escreet, Dan Tepfer, Jason Rebello, trumpeters Quentin Collins, Jay Phelps, Ambrose Akinmusire, Avishai Cohen, and drummers Colin Stranahan and Paul Wiltgen. Janisch released his debut solo album Purpose Built in January 2010 featuring Walter Smith III, Patrick Cornelius, Jason Palmer, Johnathan Blake, Aaron Goldberg, Phil Robson, Mike Moreno, Jim Hart, and Paul Booth. His debut album also prompted him to create his own record label, Whirlwind Recordings. In January 2013 Janisch released Banned in London along with co-leader and Cuban-born pianist Aruán Ortiz, also featuring Greg Osby, Raynald Colom and Rudy Royston. In June 2014 Janisch released a collaborative album First Meeting: Live in London, Volume 1 with Lee Konitz, Dan Tepfer and Jeff Williams. On October 2, 2015, Janisch released his second solo album, a double-disc titled Paradigm Shift featuring Leonardo Genovese (piano, keyboards), Paul Booth (tenor sax), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Alex Bonney (electronics) and Colin Stranahan (drums). The album features a live recording with post production electronics