Sydney-born pianist and musical director Michael Azzopardi grew up in a pioneering musical family that helped introduce funk, soul and Motown to Australia.

A prodigious talent, he studied classical and jazz piano at the Sydney Conservatorium and the Australian National University, where he earned the Michael Foster Scholarship for excellence in jazz.

Known for his versatility, Michael has performed and recorded with leading Australian and international artists including Bennie Maupin, Bob Mintzer, Lucky Oceans, Joan Rivers, and Marcia Hines.

He has co-led acclaimed jazz projects such as Straight Up! and The Strange Music of Reality, and was nominated for the 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship. Michael currently serves as Musical Director of the Australian production of MJ The Musical.