Michael Ripoll is a consummate professional in the music industry with a list of credits and accomplishments that span decades. Best known as a masterful guitar virtuoso who has played with a seemingly endless list of the most respected names in the music world, Michael has always striven to exceed the boundaries of a traditional musician’s career by proactively seeking and securing opportunities to excel in other facets of the industry.
While he remains an artist and singer-songwriter first, Michael also operates as the Musical Director for world renowned artist and friend Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, has launched an innovative online format for guitar instruction, and has even contributed to major motion picture film scores. Working with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sting, Natalie Cole, the American Idol Tour, the Pussycat Dolls, India Arie, and countless others, Michael is regarded as one of the industry’s most sought after session players and touring musicians.
A jet-setter by nature, Michael travels all around the world for his music career, but splits his time primarily between his homes in Nashville and Los Angeles. Born and raised in New York, and of Cuban and Italian descent, Michael’s heritage flourished on the East Coast and the fire and passion of his roots permeate the multitude of styles he performs: Pop, Rock, Flamenco/Latin, Classical, Jazz, R&B/Funk, and Gospel.
It was a move to Florida at the age of sixteen that landed Michael at the very epicenter of Latin culture in America, where he was able to connect then with his Cuban ancestry. His father had taken note of the innate talent in New York, and once in Florida, decided to support his son as a musician and the talent was cultivated and refined with collegiate training. Twelve years of private lessons along with the schooling can be detected in the delivery in which he plays—nothing short of concise technique with flawless precision.
