Michael W. Brookins, also known as MWB, has played piano for the last 25 years in the Washington and Chicago Metropolitan areas. A multi-talented individual, Michael is not only a musician’s, musician, but an outstanding composer of lyrics and music.
“Gleaming Hope,” performed by artist MWB, was recorded in Detroit at the legendary Disc Recording Studio. Michael was joined by his son, Michael Jr. who sang background vocals. On the CD cover is a photo of Mike Jr. trying to play the piano at the tender age of one.
“The Disc”, located in Detroit (Motown) has been a home of many hit recordings by legendary artists. MWB was fortunate to have Greg Reilly, the same engineer who recorded some of these great Motown artists. The musicians playing on this recording of “Gleaming Hope” include some of Detroit’s finest. You can hear a dynamic solo by guitar great, Gerald Kent, formerly of “Brain Storm.” Also, you can hear the expert percussion play of Treaty Womack, whose playing you have heard on a number of Motown hit recordings. If you saw the movie “Standing in the shadows of Motown”, then you’ve seen “Treaty” at work. In addition, fantastic drummer David Dionise laid down the steady drum work throughout the song.
The production of this recording was a spectacular collaboration with producer-arranger Eddie Robinson GM, whose vocals you hear at the end of the song. Another Motown Artist (i.e., the producer/arranger), Eddie, has a track record of producing hit recordings. In this song, you can hear his trademark style, which is a combination of various music genres. A few of Eddie Robinson’s works includes, album “Reflections of the Man Inside”, “Elephant Song”, and “Back on Track”. The combination of Ed’s music arrangements together with the outstanding vocal and piano performance of MWB is a great event that turned out to be nothing less than monumental.
Biography
Music has been a part of Michael Brookins life since he was a child. At the age of 9 Michael developed an interest in playing the piano when Jazz Musician turned Gospel song writer, Eddie Robinson inspired him to play the piano, at a local Revival Service. Michael soon began his formal training. While in high school, he was asked to play for a Workshop Concert, held by two major University choirs, conducted by a Chicago basedGospel Recording Artist.
On Feb. 8th,1987, he was licensed into ministry at the Second Baptist Church, Joliet, IL. In 1986, Michael enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago. While in Chicago, hehad the pleasure of working with friends from Port Au Prince, Haiti, and Freeport Grand Bahamas as they conducted Annual Musical Concerts at a Haitian Church on Chicago’s south side.
In addition, Mike has found music to be a powerful form of outreach, and has had opportunities to participate in cross cultural musical events at Spanish speaking congregations as well as Creaole (Haitian Church), and Jewish speaking fellowships (Jews For Jesus) in Chicago. Moreover, he has had the honor of sharing his musical gift in ministry with the homeless of Pacific Garden Mission, Chicago Gospel League Shelter (For Women), Chicago Gospel Mission. And, he would on occasion provide music atSunshine Gospel Ministries (Cabrini Green Housing) Chicago, IL.
Mike has had many musical mentors, instructors and influences including Prof. David Brackley of Sacred Music, MBI, Chicago, IL., Andre Brookins, Friendship Church, Rev. Clarence Williams, Loveland Missionary Baptist Church, Fontana, CA., Wade Beach, Andrews Airforce Jazz Band, and Prof. Ron Elliston, Univ. of MD.
In 1991, Michael moved to Maryland and transferred to Washington Bible College, where he would finish his Undergraduate education.
In 1994, upon graduating, he received the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges Bible Exam Award (AABC) for the Highest Score (141-150) among Bachelor of Arts Graduates.
Michael served as a Chaplain for 12 years at the Larkin Chase Nursing & Restorative Care Unit, in Bowie, MD.
In addition, he has been on the ground floor of several church plants both in Illinois, and Maryland, helping to build music ministries from the ground up.
Served five years as Min. of Music, Drama & Arts for NBCC Church in Bowie, MD.
In 1999, Michael served as Local Chairman, coordinating with Rev. Russ Knight (CURE), Dr. Aaron Hamlin (NBEA Executive Dir., Portland,OR), and Dr. Walter McCray (President & author of Black Presence in the Bible), and Dr. Ruth Bentley (NBEA Treasurer Chicago, IL) in bringing the National Black Evangelical Association to the Washington area for three consecutive years, having conferences in Baltimore (2000), Washington, DC (2001) and Prince Georges County (2002).
Currently, Michael serves as the Director of the Male & Youth Choirs of the Union Bethel AME Church in BrandyWine, MD.
Michael resides in Anne Arundel County, Maryland with his wife Marsha and two beautiful children Michael Jr. and Mikayla.
Music Ministry Highlights
*Northern Illinois Univ. (Black Choir) & Illinois State Univ. Musical Workshop, was pianist for workshop conducted by Rev. Lamont Lenox. (1985)
*Holiday Star Theater, Merrillville, IN, Played for Ecumenical Easter Services (1988)
*1st Baptist Church, Omaha Nebraska, Singing Christmas Tree, accompanied Rev. Roy Patterson, Pastor/Producer Moody Radio (1989)
*Gaboan Baptist Church, Haitian Church-Chicago, IL, conducted Annual Cross Cultural Concerts, ministering w/ Min. Patrick Jeanty, Singer/Translator-Port-Au Prince, Haiti and Sis. Valencia Dean, Freeport, Grand Bahamas (1988 & 1989)
*Moody Founders Day 1990, played as a student for Brazilian singer Walter Faucet on a national radio broadcast, & requested solo performance by President, Dr. Joseph Stowell.
*Hosted NBCC 1st-3rd Annual Music Workshops conducted by Rev. Clarence Williams, Min. of Music, Loveland Baptist Church, Fontana, CA (2001-2003)
*Hosted NBCC 4TH ANNUAL Music Workshops conducted by Gospel Recording Artist, Bro. Fred Steele, Minneapolis, MN “The Steele Family”(2004)
*Metropolitan Baptist Church, Played for Black History/Civil Rights Program (2004).
*Kappa Alpha Psi Annual Awards Banquet, University of Maryland Alumni, Christian Jazz Performance (2005)
*National City Church, Washington, DC, played for Sojourners Conference (2006/07)
*Democratic National Debate, Patriot Center, George Washington Univ., played for Sojourners Annual Conference. (2007)
*Mother’s Day Musical w/ Gospel Recording Artist Albert Phillips & Divine Messengers (2008).