About Soulo Mute and Creator Mike Jarosz

Soulo Mute is designed and handcrafted by Mike Jarosz, a professional trumpet player based in Philadelphia, PA. Mike was born and raised in north New Jersey and moved to Philadelphia in 1997 to attend college. Mike holds a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies and a Bachelors degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of The Arts. After graduating college, Mike spent a decade performing and recording with some of the most well known pop artists in the world. In 2003 he had the rare opportunity, a dream come true, to tour with trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson. In 2005, Mike was one of five trumpet players in the nation selected to attend the prestigious Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, CA.

In the following years Mike continued to perform with pop artists. He had the privilege to play trumpet at Aretha Franklin's birthday party in Detroit. He also performed with LL Cool J at the Essence Festival in Houston, TX as well as a VH1 performance in New York. He not only recorded on, but also composed music for LL Cool J's album "Exit 13" at The Studio, in Philadelphia.

Other works by Mike include writing music for and playing trumpet on Celine Dion's "Taking Chances" album; recording trumpet on Beyonce's "A Woman Like Me" song; recording trumpet on R. Kelly's "Happy People" album; recording trumpet on Will Smith's "Lost & Found" album; recording trumpet on the "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia Live In Concert" DVD filmed live at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ; performed with Los Lonely Boys at the 2008 Farm Aid concert; Co-arranged string parts for Kanye West "Flashing Lights".

As a Jersey native, Mike was especially pleased to be part of the Frankie Valli/Jersey Boys phenomenon. He performed numerous shows with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and was recommended by their music director to join the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys (aka the Midtown Men), in touring all over the USA and Canada. The tour quickly became very popular, drawing huge crowds with numerous weekly performances.

In the summer of 2009, after a vigorous practice for an important upcoming performance, Mike blew his neck out. He was forced to put down the trumpet for a few months and find something else meaningful to do. He returned to another old passion of his - making the perfect mute for his horn. He had played with that idea for 10 years, but never really saw it to fruition. This time, he had the opportunity to focus on it and a month later, very happy with his results, Mike decided to share his new invention with other trumpet players. The response was overwhelming and Mike knew he couldn't stop there. He asked his wife and business partner Elena to embark on a joint venture, combining Elena's business and marketing background with Mike's music expertise, eye for precision and innovation. Soon after, Soulo Mute was born.

Mike currently resides in Haddon Township, NJ with his wife Elena and daughter Sofia. He is making Soulo Mute for trumpet and trombone and already thinking about his next invention.