After studying music and theatre in NYC, Mike moved to DC and started singing in all the major clubs in town – including Blues Alley, Bohemian Tavern, The State Theatre, and many more.  He is a 23-year veteran of the nationally-known musical satire group “The Capitol Steps” as a featured performer as well as producer/presenter.

Before the pandemic,  Mike had been hitting every major and minor city in the U.S. for the last few years as a performer. Currently, Mike is rehearsing for a new tour featuring songs for his albums “Homeward” & “Step Back” – as well as new jazz-funk flavoured music with his quartet.

See the “Video” section to view some of Mike’s recent and live music performances, as well as Mike’s “Electronic Press Kit” (EPK).

“…he sets off fireworks that light up the sky with bright colors.”
Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine

“In the jazz-pop spectrum, he fits somewhere between Mark Murphy and Steve Tyrell — not bad company. Thornton celebrates the genius of vocalese great Jon Hendricks, via a scat-laced ‘Joy Spring,’ with similar ease…Some hushed boomer balladry (Lennon and McCartney’s ‘And I Love Her’) help round out the program and underscore Thornton’s winning versatility.”
Mike Joyce, Washington Post

“He’s unique. Twisting each vowel and consonant into a series of related musical tones, he gathers the best of both worlds: the dexterity of an instrumentalist and the lyrical passion of a singer.”
Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine

(Photo Credit: André Chung)