Michael Rabinowitz was born on November 27, 1955 in Bethany, New Haven County. He began playing clarinet in junior high school before switching to the bassoon in high school. After studying under Sal Mosca and graduating from the State University of New York at Purchase, he spent two years performing in Europe with musicians such as Ed Thigpen and Kenny Drew Sr. Upon returning to the United States, Rabinowitz collaborated with Ira Sullivan on Does It All! (1981) and Eddie Buster. In 1986, he moved to New York City and became a member of The Mosaic Sextet in 1988, performing on their album Today, This Moment. Throughout his career, Rabinowitz released albums such as Gabrielle's Balloon (1996), Bassoon On Fire (1995), and Uncharted Waters (2017). He collaborated with numerous artists, including Joe Lovano and Anthony Braxton.
