"Entering into the mystically melodic, soul transporting musical world of Michael Kollwitz via his exquisite new collection Serenity III: More Peaceful Music on the Chapman Stick, the feeling is one of a cool and calm euphoria. While the lush and compelling compositions he plays on the unique stringed instrument are designed for gentle reflection and meditation, these chill vibes are balanced by the extreme joy of discovery of a wonderful artist whose music I wish I had been introduced to much sooner." Jonathan Widran - www.jwvibe.com

SERENITY III is the last in a trilogy of successful Contemporary Instrumental albums composed and performed entirely on the extraordinary yet uncommon American stringed instrument known as The Chapman Stick. Serenity I & II have received considerable international airplay, Grammy nomination consideration and rave reviews from all over the world. SERENITY III features 16 new original compositions with a total play time of 64 minutes. The soothing music of the first two Serenity albums has been added to the spa channels on numerous airlines and also, will be playing in hundreds of hospitals for the next three years on the C.A.R.E. channel. The Chapman Stick is the perfect marriage between piano and guitar, and it has a rich, full sound, that is unlike any other instrument. Recorded in the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona and inspired by Marshall Vian Summer's book "Steps To Knowledge- The Book of Inner Knowing" the music on SERENITY III has deep mystical roots that will continue to delight listeners for many decades to come.

SHORT BIO:

Michael Kollwitz is one of the pioneer players of a contemporary American stringed instrument known as The Chapman Stick. Capable of astounding expressiveness and simultaneous multi-part arrangements, ‘The Stick’ combines elements of guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion into one instrument that is played more like a piano than a guitar. Michael has had over 20 independent releases. His last two albums, ‘Serenity’ & ‘Serenity II,’ have received international airplay, various nominations and are being played on airlines and in hospitals. ‘Serenity II’ also made the Billboard Top Ten New Age albums chart in 2018 and has received Grammy nomination consideration. Carlos Santana once described Michael’s music on The Chapman Stick as “a gift of the heart.”

FULL BIO:

Top Ten Billboard charting New Age artist Michael Kollwitz is a Stickman, but he’s no drummer. He is one of very few musicians who has mastered an unusual stringed instrument called “The Chapman Stick,” and for over forty years, he has stayed true to his mission to bring The Stick’s unique music to as many people as he can. He may have been born under a lucky star, or it might have been good old serendipity, but in the 1970s, Michael was fortunate to cross paths with The Stick’s inventor, Emmett Chapman. To Michael’s delight, Emmett was more than willing to take him under his wing, and the two embarked on a teacher-student journey that has lasted to this day.

Though Michael’s music career began back in high school as a talented trumpet player, once The Stick was in his hands, he didn’t look back. The Chapman Stick is the only instrument he now plays and records on. The Stick’s magic may well lie in the simplicity of its design: it’s part of the guitar family, and indeed, resembles the neck and head of a guitar, but is played more like a piano with two-handed tapping, and has an incredibly versatile range of sounds. With powerful, expressive qualities, the instrument provides players with endless possibilities, and Michael has harnessed these with virtuosic effect.

Being a first-generation Stickman came with decided benefits for Michael. Consistently booked for musical gigs, he traveled extensively, opening for the Beach Boys one year, and earning raves for his one-of-a-kind performances along the way. By the early 2000s, he had amassed such a following that he decided to record his first solo album and join the festival and fair circuit to play music full time. Sacramento became home base for a time, and with his typical flair, Michael became a fixture in the community as a street performer in Old Sacramento. He had numerous television appearances, radio interviews and even starred as the subject of the award-winning documentary, “Stick Man.” In 2007, seeking new adventures, he relocated to Hawaii.

Hawaii proved to be a musically fertile place for Michael. He crossed paths with Carlos Santana while playing a gig on Maui, who was visibly moved by Michael’s music. Fresh off the glow of having a personal musical idol respond so well to him, Mick Fleetwood also happened upon Michael during a performance. Fleetwood planted the seed that Hawaiian music would sound amazing played on The Stick, and Michael went on to record six albums (with the help of triple Grammy award winning Steely Dan engineer, Dave Russell) during his time on Maui.

Michael has since taken The Stick to new heights, recording music in such diverse genres as Jazz, Classic Rock, Latin, Hawaiian, Americana, and even Christmas music. Michael’s 21st album, ‘Serenity- Peaceful Music on The Chapman Stick,’ marked a change in course for his music. From the cover art featuring the iconic Sedona landmark, Bell Rock to the rich, versatile songs, Michael’s goal was to create a sonically healing experience to evoke soothing simplicity and peaceful relaxation for his listeners.

Considered for a Grammy nomination, Michael’s 22nd album ‘Serenity II’ is the Billboard Top Ten New Age charting followup album to ‘Serenity’ (2017) that reached #8 on Billboard one week after its release in April 2018 and remained #10 on the ZMR New Age charts for two months during April & May 2018. Because of its soothing, peaceful tracks, ‘Serenity II’ has been licensed by the C.A.R.E. Channel to play in hundreds of hospitals across the US from 2019 to 2021.

Michael’s first album in the New Age genre – ‘Serenity’ – enthralled listeners worldwide and continues to receive international airplay while introducing many to The Stick’s astounding expressiveness and versatility. ‘Serenity’ reached #8 on the Zone Music Reporter chart in Sept. 2017 and was nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album of 2017 by One World Music Radio in the United Kingdom. It also gained placements on the ‘Spa’ channels of seven international airlines and the video for the track “Mystic Vista” received a nomination from the Hollywood Music In Media awards in early 2018.

Both albums consist of a full hour of exquisite, peaceful, relaxing music on the extraordinary yet uncommon stringed instrument created by Emmett Chapman in 1974 known as The Chapman Stick. One of the inventor’s first students, Kollwitz wields his considerable talents on The Stick to create unique sonic tapestries that evoke calmness, healing, and reflection- just like the red rocks of his hometown in Sedona, Arizona. He credits his musical inspiration to an ongoing study of ‘Steps To Knowledge- The Book Of Inner Knowing’ by Marshall Vian Summers.

Michael has performed at more than a thousand festivals, fairs, civic & corporate events. At a chance meeting in Hawaii, Carlos Santana was visibly impressed by Michael’s music on The Stick and described it as “a gift from the heart” that made him feel good the moment he heard it. He’s been an opening act for The Beach Boys, The Goo Goo Dolls, Henry Kapono and has introduced many other musicians to the new instrument over the years including Keith Emerson, Mick Fleetwood, Steve Morse, and Herbie Hancock.

His albums and music have spread worldwide thanks to international and national airplay including “All Things Considered” on NPR. He is a veteran of many television appearances, and he was the subject of an award-winning short documentary by filmmaker Roy Plisko which captured First Place on CurrentTV in May of 2007.