Cellist, vocalist, guitarist, electric bassist and producer Michael Shay -based out of Portland, Oregon and Ecuador- has forged a path of constant collaboration in both world music and Americana traditions.  

Having has led multiple world-fusion, Americana, classical crossover and rock ensembles in both North and South America, his current projects are Baobab Trio (kora, cello, percussion), The Just Desserts (accordion, cello, percussion), Texas Express (bluegrass/country/string band), Music For Stillness (cello, handpan, kalimba, flute, crystal and Tibetan bowls), and Michael Shay Trio (singer-songwriter).

In addition to his earliest influences in Townes Van Zandt, Robert Hunter and Suzanne Vega, as a songwriter you might also hear echos of Greg Brown, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, and even Leonard Cohen who once complimented him on a cover of “Suzanne” in which Shay had altered a lyric, saying it was “a better line anyway!”