Mike Chisnall
Mike has been mesmerised by his Jazzica Custom Archtop.
Hofner Jazzica and Hofner Then President
Mike Chisnall is a guitarist and banjo player based in London, UK. Whilst playing Jazz is his passion and speciality, Mike’s work has come from playing everything from Jazz, Pop, Rock and Musical Theatre.
Since graduating from Leeds College of Music’s Jazz degree in 2012, Mike has played anything he can, everywhere he can do it. This journey began playing in show bands on board cruise ships as a sideman and as the musical director. His journey then took him to Vancouver, Canada where he ran a successful music school in North Vancouver. His love of performing has since taken him back to the UK where he has been playing in a variety of show bands, working on Cruise ships and a tour with the YouTube sensation, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.
In 2017, after deciding to return to education, Mike has been working towards a Master’s Degree in Jazz at the prestigious London institution, Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has had the opportunity to continue his progression under the tutelage of some of the country’s finest Jazz musicians. After beginning his studies, Mike has chosen to take an intermission on his Master’s course as in 2018 he will be touring with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, travelling throughout the UK and mainland Europe.
Excited to see where his journey takes him, Mike is constantly striving to further develop his skills as a guitarist, musician and improviser.
Over the last decade, Mike’s career has seen him grow to love Hofner guitars. His Jazzica Custom Archtop was his original Jazz guitar and since playing it for the very first time he has been mesmerised by the instrument. The combination of top of the line electronics and world class craftsmanship have helped Mike to create his own voice that is engrained within him and his Hofner instruments. After playing the Jazzica Custom for many years, Mike has recently been playing the Thin President Ivory. The two humbuckers, thin body and thinner strings have given Mike the chance to put his Hofner-influenced signature on all genres of music that he plays.