Mike Bagetta
Guitar
It has been said that MIKE BAGGETTA is “a guitarist of slippery proficiency” (New York Times), that his performances are “totally compelling” (Jazz Journal, UK) and that “his melodic sense is truly beautiful.” (JazzReview.com)
Mike’s singular and very personal musical style seeks to blur the lines between song and solo, while connecting a wide range of musical genres that influence him. The press says this approach is “…beguilingly atmospheric…” (Time Out New York) and that “Baggetta’s music is quietly transgressive… Even when he plays a lot of notes, his playing can sound almost static, as though ideas were being snagged out of thin air.” (Hartford Courant)
Baggetta’s most recent release is the album ‘Everywhen We Go’, his second album with drummer Jim Keltner and bassist Mike Watt on the BIG EGO label. He also leads the band mssv, a post-genre power trio featuring the iconoclastic rhythm team of drummer Stephen Hodges and bassist Mike Watt. They have just released their 3rd studio album ‘On And On’ on BIG EGO Records, followed closely by an extensive tour in the US, UK and Ireland from March to June of 2025. mssv has also released a live album on Striped Light Records (with special guest J Mascis), as well as 3 limited edition 7” releases featuring guest artists Petra Haden and Nels Cline. This band grew out of Baggetta’s first album for BIG EGO, ‘Wall of Flowers’, which featured a reimagining of his music alongside bassist Mike Watt and drummer Jim Keltner.
Aside from mssv, Baggetta has had the pleasure to work all over the world with a wide range of visionary musicians across many generations including David Torn, Jim Keltner, Mike Watt, Nels Cline, Psychic Temple, Jeff Coffin, Henry Kaiser, Petra Haden, Steve Gigante, Rev. Fred Lane, Donny McCaslin, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Joseph C. Philips’ Numinous, Imani Uzuri, Viktor Krauss, David Wax Museum, Julian Lage, Jon Irabagon, Jerome Harris, Tom Harrell, Eivind Opsvik, Jeremy Udden, and Ruth Brown among many others. Baggetta is an Endorsing Artist for Koll Guitars, Benson Amps, D'Addario Strings, Reunion Blues Gig Bags & Cases.
