Michael Haggins
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Michael's latest single “Gift to the World” features a buoyant bass melody and dreamy synth harmony line over a playful funk groove. “It reflects where I’m at in my life now,” he says. “What times we’re in now. Everything is a gift to the world. Our focus should be on health, happiness, a smile and treating each other well.”
A full 17 years after Michael's song Daybreak appeared as the title track to his debut CD, “Daybreak” is the gift that keeps on giving – to the tune of nearly 2 million Spotify streams and nearly two million views on YouTube. Aside from the bassist’s spirited funk grooving and an irresistible hook featuring Rod Stewart’s longtime saxophonist Jimmy Roberts, the key to its enduring popularity is its being featured prominently – as an ongoing character related musical motif – on the long-running NBC sitcom “Community.” It was used on 12 episodes (mainly in Seasons 3 and 4) and was hummed on different occasions by Troy (Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino), Abed (Danny Pudi), Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Annie (Alison Brie). Michael's music has also appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Speechless,” “Raising Hope,” The Weather Channel and the local KTLA 5 Morning News in Los Angeles. His discography includes the albums Daybreak (2004), Traffic (2008), and Dare to Dream (2015). Born and raised in Pasadena, CA, Michael's uncle Al Duncan was a session drummer for Vee-Jay Records and Chess Records in the 50’s and 60’s, recording with Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Sonny Boy Williamson. After toying with guitar and saxophone, Michael stuck with the electric bass, playing in a band with future Billboard chart-topper Robbie Nevil in the 80s and working behind the scenes in TV production as he developed his solo career. Michael Haggins and his band continues performing throughout Southern California at jazz festivals and venues including Spaghettini’s, Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena Summer Concert Series, the Playboy Jazz Festival’s Community Event Series and Long Beach Jazz Festival. |
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Michael and Berry Gordy Michael with Berry Gordy at a Fisherman’s Village gig in Marina del Rey, CA. Gordy had stopped by to purchase a couple of “Daybreak” CDs, and upon meeting Michael, told him his bass playing reminded him of James Jamerson. (Jamerson, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, was the bassist on most of the Motown hits, and is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history.) High praise, indeed! |
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Michael and Pat Prescott Michael at his on-air live broadcast interview with Pat Prescott, the morning host of 94.7 the WAVE, while at the WAVE’s sponsored jazz Sunday brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA. Michael was promoting his upcoming weekend show at the Club. Later that afternoon, he sat-in and performed with DW3, Spaghettini’s house band. |
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Michael at Playboy Mansion
Michael was close to front and center, right behind Hugh Hefner and George Wein (jazz promoter and founder of the Playboy Jazz Festival), at a press conference announcing the 2006 Festival. Michael’s band played on the Community Stage held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, that year. 
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For Community fans
“I’d like to personally thank all the fans of this Show who’ve made it an iconic touchstone of my career so far,” Michael Haggins said. “I wrote it during a time when my faith was being tested, and trying to decide where to go with my music. The response to “Daybreak” was so phenomenal for me, certainly a musician’s dream come true. It would be great to do a Community concert gathering fans and cast for a fun reunion. Who knows what the future will hold, but bringing back treasured TV series seems to be in vogue these days. I’m just so grateful to have been associated with such a classic piece of TV history!
Michael & Community
Michael’s song “Daybreak” was part of a running musical gag on NBC’s prime time comedy hit, Community, being hummed by various cast members in a dozen episodes. Invited to the set on several occasions, his on-screen cameo unfortunately ended up on the cutting room floor. Here, he’s pictured with Donald Glover (Troy), Danny Pudi (Abed) and Alison Brie (Annie). Right, he shares the “Daybreak" CD with Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley).
Michael’s song “Daybreak” was part of a running musical gag on NBC’s prime time comedy hit, Community, being hummed by various cast members in a dozen episodes. Invited to the set on several occasions, his on-screen cameo unfortunately ended up on the cutting room floor. Here, he’s pictured with Donald Glover (Troy), Danny Pudi (Abed) and Alison Brie (Annie). Right, he shares the “Daybreak" CD with Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley).
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