1 billion plays on Spotify and counting, 20 years of making music. When hit pop duo Surfaces needed some sugar for 2x Platinum smash hit Sunday Best, they called me up. I’ve appeared on a bunch of their tracks and we toured the U.S. together.
I’m new to SoundBetter, so thanks for checking out my page! If you’re seeking a unique tonal texture to elevate your track and separate it from the rest, sax could be just what you need!
And if you're looking for an instrumentalist heard over a billion times on Spotify, plus HBO, ESPN, Apple TV+, SiriusXM, all over TikTok and on a host of streaming playlists, I can help.
I’m a firm believer in the power of soul. Music should be emotional and evocative, and I’ve trained for 20 years not to play the most notes in the most keys, but to add soul to each and every project.
My specialty as an instrumentalist is modern sax rooted in jazz and pop influences. And as a co-producer, I seek to add dimension to the creative intent of a scene, song or album.
Music is a collaborative art to me, and I’m creatively fueled by working with others. Whether you know exactly what you want or you’re just looking for another set of trained ears, please reach out!
Additional credits include Surfaces, Forrest Frank, Nick Carter, The Night Game, Slow Meadow, Televisor, Dave Stewart, CLVS, Biskwiq, Park Bird, OK2222, NVTHVN
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Michael Incavo8 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse Michael Incavo
check_circleVerifiedFirst time working with Michael and already can't wait for our next projects. Definitely my type of artist - super talented, very professional, and very fast.
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Michael demonstrated exceptional professionalism and skill throughout our collaboration. His dedication to creating quality recordings was evident, and he delivered substantial material. I highly recommend him and look forward to future projects together.
check_circleVerifiedI sent Michael a voice recording with a general idea of what I was trying to do and he nailed it on the first try. What a wonderful job -- looking forward to booking Michael again in the future -- absolute gem
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Michael is a next level saxophone player who laid down a killer part for my song. He is a super talented musician I would recommend highly to anybody looking for either a sax or keys part.... or both! As was the case for me. 5 stars across the board!
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Michael really went above and beyond the call of duty here.... he was a pleasure to work with and provided absolutely killer keys parts. I highly recommend Michael to anybody looking to take their song to the next level!
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Michael was quick to reply and gave us just what we were looking for on our latest project.
check_circleVerifiedMichael is so great to work with. Crushed it on our song together. His piano parts are some of my favorite moments in the songs he was apart of with SURFACES. He is so versatile and comes up with ideas you won't get from anyone else
I recently used Michael to work on a new track of mine and he was fantastic! Super easy to work with. So easy to communicate with. We traded messages back and forth with notes on what to do with the song. He crushed the solo and just brought it to another level. I can’t wait for the final mix of this tune.
I’m so happy to have worked with Mike. No ego, just top notch playing, super nice, very easy to work with. Just a great dude and I look forward to working with him again.
Highly recommend.
Interview with Michael Incavo
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Nick Luebke is a killer musician across the board.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Great keys and sax to fit your vision.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I get asked a lot about the process. I'm more than happy to accommodate many different types of workflows, fast or slow.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: A great solo can do more than just enhance a single section -- it can elevate the vision of the entire track.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I love to hear the inspiration and the story behind songs I receive from clients.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Not sure about the other 4 but my sax would have to come along.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Always excited to work with anyone with a great idea!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Always developing new skills.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Typically, I receive a track, then send back some options. Frequently, those options are approved and I send over isolated tracks. Other times, I receive notes and send another version for approval. I’m typically credited as featured artist or co-producer depending on specifics of the project.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Yanagisawa and Yamaha saxes, custom-crafted mouthpieces, hand-built 251 mic, top shelf keys sounds from Spectrasonics, Waves and Native Instruments.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen to your project with your eyes closed.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: On sax, I bring a unique stand-out sound to elevate the song. On keys, it’s more about tasteful texture and color. And when I write new music, I seek to add new dimension to the creative message and intent behind the original work.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Speak your mind. I’d always rather have too much information than too little.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been making music for over 20 years. Lately I’ve been collaborating with artists and touring the country with Surfaces.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I love instrumentalists who also produce. I also have learned a lot from “bedroom producer” friends who make incredible music without formal training. It’s a whole different approach and it’s an inspiration.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Sax solos, keyboard solos, keyboard tracks, composition and production of new music.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I enjoy being able to provide top-notch creative work from my home studio.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I'm drawn to music that makes use of real instruments. This leads to 80's synth pop, lo-fi and some jazz.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Recently completed a remix for The Night Game with lots of sax and keyboards. Loads of fun.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Always working on various collaborations with artists I like.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My sound is a modern take on jazz and hip-hop influences.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: For producing, fully digital. But I use analog synths. Can't beat 'em.
I was the sax and keys player in this production
- SaxophoneAverage price - $250 per song
- HornAverage price - $350 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $250 per song
- PianoAverage price - $250 per song
- Film ComposerContact for pricing
Typically, you send track, I send rough options, you provide input, I send polished finals. I’m typically credited as featured or co-producer depending on specifics.
- Yanagisawa and Yamaha saxes
- custom-crafted mouthpieces
- hand-built 251 mic
- effects from Waves and Native Instruments.
Happy to discuss specifics!
