About this Artist

Born and raised in New York of musician parents, MICHAEL VALERIO began his professional career at the age of ten, singing on children's records. He switched his focus to bass at age 14, and attended college at the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University. During his tenure at Indiana, he won second prize in the International Society of Bassists jazz competition.



From 1996-1999, Valerio served as co-principal bassist of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Concurrently, he was also the touring electric bassist for piano legend Roger Williams. Both of these mentors independently urged Michael to move to Los Angeles, which he did in 1999.

Valerio continues to be grateful for the wide variety of music a career in Los Angeles has afforded him. He can be heard on hundreds of television and movie scores as a symphonic, jazz, and electric bassist. He has performed as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the Boston Pops. Tonight’s performance marks his fourth appearance as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.