Michael Franks (born 18 September 1944 in La Jolla, California) is a smooth jazz singer and songwriter from the United States. He has recorded with a Who's Who of artists, such as Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Art Garfunkel, and David Sanborn. His songs have been recorded by The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Labelle, Carmen McRae, Diana Krall, and The Carpenters.

Michael Franks (1944) is a singer and songwriter from the United States. Born in La Jolla, California, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar, in High School. He studied music in college, earned an M.A. from UCLA in Comparative Literature and a PhD from the University of Oregon and teaching undergraduate music courses. He was on records with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and recorded an eponymous CD now titled Previously Unavailable (originally Brut, now DRG Records) before