Michael Tkachenko

Michael Tkachenko (b. 2001, Haifa, Israel) is a New York City–based saxophonist, composer, and music director. Born into a family of classically trained musicians from the former Soviet Union, he is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music, where he received a full merit scholarship. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Jazz Arts at the Manhattan School of Music.

Michael leads his own large ensemble, which combines a jazz quintet with strings and video art. Incorporating electronic effects and pedals into his saxophone playing, he explores the intersection of acoustic and electronic sound, pushing beyond traditional genre boundaries and offering a fresh perspective on contemporary music.

He has performed with leading international jazz artists, including Kenny Werner, Miguel Zenón, James Morrison, and Tia Fuller, as well as the DR Big Band. With the Berklee Global Jazz Big Band, he has performed alongside Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez and David Gilmore.

In Israel, Michael has recorded and performed with some of the country’s most prominent artists, including Aviv Geffen, Yehoram Gaon, Shimi Tavori, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, and Shlomo Gronich.

His music reflects his Russian-Israeli heritage and his connection to American musical traditions, navigating an ongoing dialogue between tradition and the development of his own artistic voice.