Who Is Mick Archer?

Since beginning his professional career while still in grade school more than 25 years ago, Mick Archer has performed in virtually every music venue, throughout metropolitan Chicago (his hometown), across the US, and also in Japan and many European cities.

Classically trained (American Conservatory, University of Illinois, B. A.), Archer has established a career that encompasses blues, jazz, rock, Celtic, country and folk music as pianist, singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter and band leader. He has recorded three albums of original material, some of which received national airplay, and worked as a session player on numerous recording projects and jingles. As an opening act, he's worked with Ray Charles, Jay Leno, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Styx, Ted Nugent and The Dells, and as a sideman with The Drifters, The Platters, Tito Puente, Sugar Blue, Bill Acosta and Red Holt. He's also had a distinguished career as a teacher at The Old Town School of Folk Music, The City Colleges Of Chicago, and in his private practice at his Fine Arts Building studio on South Michigan Avenue.

In 1989 Archer was hired at The Baja Beach Club on Chicago's famous North Pier and began the "Dueling Pianos" phase of his career. Teaming up with other outstanding singing pianists from all over the country when the concept was still in its infancy, he developed  a unique form of cabaret entertainment that is now popular throughout the country and is presently expanding throughout the world. A combination of sing-along, improv comedy, stock bits and parodies, requests, and straight ahead rocking, it's a show that pleases all ages. In addition to nightclubs, Mick Archer's Dueling Pianos have been successfully presented on college campuses, cruise ships, trade shows, conventions, and corporate/civic and private events.

Mick Archer has toured the world as a solo act. He was the pianist in residence at The Tokyo Westin in the Summer of 2004, and since then has traveled to Holland, Germany, Ireland, England, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Norway to bring his unique act to worldwide audiences.

Besides his piano acts, he also leads The Chicago Rovers (traditional, contemporary and original Celtic music) and The Factory Boys (rocking blues and roots rock band). He leads ensembles of all sizes for any type of event that requires good music. Mick Archer is truly the definition of the all encompassing musician, entertainer and band leader.

The Chicago Tribune said:

Mick Archer is ... an impressive master of ceremonies. Whether it’s putting hecklers in their place or singing an original, the Southside native is a natural showman.