Directory

Michael Craner is a 2021 Grammy Award nominee who has been directing concert bands and jazz ensembles in addition to keeping an active professional performing schedule in the northeast for over 20 years. Mr. Craner is an accomplished double-bassist and electric bassist who has studied and performed with the likes of Ron Carter, Cecil McBee, Victor Wooten, Jerry Bergonzi, John McNeil, Kevin Mahogany and George Russell. Craner is currently the bassist in the Hudson River Music Hall House Band at the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY as well as the bassist for Ernie LaRouche and the DWB Band, Better Off Led (Led Zeppelin tribute), Tumblin’ Dice (Rolling Stones tribute) and the Dirti Harri’s (George Harrison tribute) among others. In addition, Mr. Craner is a professional conductor who studied under Frank Battisti, William Drury, Dr. Julie Pretzat and Dr. Jerry Exline. Mr. Craner is the Director of both the Symphonic Band and Schuylerville Jazz Ensemble at Schuylerville Central Schools, the Jazz Director at Castleton University, Guest Conductor of the Saratoga Youth Symphony (SYS) and the Music Director/Principal Conductor for the Lake George Community Band. He has guest conducted numerous Regional and All-County Ensembles including the Central Adirondack Schools High School All-County Band, Rensselear County All-County Jazz Ensemble, Saratoga Warren County All-County Jazz Ensemble, Washington County Symphonic Band, Fulton County All-County Symphonic Band and the Northeast Instrumental Music Festival Honor Band in Lake Placid. In addition, Craner has been an adjunct faculty member at RPI in Troy, NY where he directed the RPI Jazz Ensemble.

Education

M.M. Jazz Studies/Performance New England Conservatory
B.A. Music Performance State University of New York at Oswego
B.S Business Administration State University of New York at Oswego