About Us

Mike Seifred
Tenor and Alto Sax

The Jazzmen Duo originated out of rehearsal sessions that long-time friends Mike Seifried and Gene Gowe started, and the duo eventually became a working jazz combo. In the spring of 2007 Gene moved to the sunny south, and Mike was fortunate to find a new partner, Bernie Thompson, to carry on the Jazzmen tradition.

As a living embodiment of the song, "Anything you can do, I can do better!", Bernie started playing the piano at the age of four to compete with his father. His father was a jazz pianist and a jazz and classical organist, so Bernie had a lot of catching up to do! He began formal piano lessons, eventually attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, and then majored in music at Dartmouth College. In addition to performing with the Jazzmen Duo, Bernie is a member of several local jazz and gospel groups

Bernie Thompson
Piano

and is a church organist.

Mike was active as a musician during his high school and college years, but he eventually pursued a career in business, always intending to get back into music again "some day". As he got to the point where he could scale back his day job, that day finally arrived, and Mike is happy to be able to pursue his passion. In addition to performing with the Jazzmen Duo, Mike performs regularly with the Doris Simon Swing Band, Montgomery County (PA) Concert Band and various other big band settings in suburban Philadelphia.

Although he no longer lives in the northeast, Gene continues to collaborate with Mike in the writing of original songs