Mike Johnston was raised in Traverse City and educated at Central Michigan University with an MFA degree in Art / Photography. In 1976 he and multi-instrumentalist Mike Gilmore founded the Northwoods collective, which has developed in various directions ever since, including collaborations with Toronto’s sopranino saxman and Coda magazine founder Bill Smith and with Detroit saxophonist and composer Farouk Z Bey from 2000 until his death. In addition to his musical pursuits, Johnston has written widely on jazz and teaches at Delta College, and is the host of the weekly “Destination Out” radio show at WCMU public radio.