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038-066 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 4/26/13 10:34 AM Page 8 SHORTCUTS MUSIC 'Can't Smile Without' This Versatile Guitarist ouldn't it be cool if your boss de-scribed you W this way: "A gentleman, a professional and beautiful human being." And wouldn't it be even cooler if that boss was one of the world's most famous and respected entertainers? Well, that's exactly what Barry Manilow said about his guitarist and friend of 16 years, Carmel's own Michael Lent. Several Monterey Peninsula native sons have ven- tured out to perform on the world stage. Few, though, have captured as many ears as guitarist and composer Lent has. In addition to his work with Manilow, he's reached millions through television soundtracks ("Grace Under Fire," "Ally McBeal," "General Hospital"); Broadway touring companies (Mamma Mia, Aida, Chicago, The Lion King); and session-man recording work and touring (Jeffrey Osborne, Marie Osmond, Ricky Martin, Steve Miller, Babyface, Usher). An impressive—and diverse—list of credits. Those two adjectives also perfectly sum up this highly talented musician. Manilow agrees: "My shows are filled with different styles of music," he says, "from jazz and swing to rock to show tunes to power pop. He's comfortable in any style." "Working with Barry is challenging," Lent acknowl- edges. "He keeps you on your toes." Lent is a Pacific Grove High graduate. He attended Berklee School of Music in Boston, returning home for a time before decamping to Los Angeles. "I did recording projects at first," Lent says, "then landed a gig with [R&B singer] Jeffrey Osborne. That's when things took off." He was hired by Manilow in 1997. These days, Lent is on the road "about 30 weeks each year." That's a lot of time away from home. "My wife reminds me there are worse ways to make a livPhoto: Kelli Uldall ing," he laughs. When at home, Lent can be heard per- Pacific Grove High School graduate Mike Lent has worked with superstar Barry Manilow for almost 17 years, and is touring with him this summer. 50 C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER 2013 forming with jazz groups around town, and he also teaches at the Dennis Murphy School of Music. "I stayed away from teaching for a long time," he says. "Now I've found I learn as much as my students do." —Michael Chatfield