Michael Dease – born in Augusta, Georgia on August 25, 1982 – is a jazz tenor and bass trombonist as well as a composer and producer. Quickly establishing a reputation as an outstanding soloist, sideman, and band leader, he has become one of the world’s most celebrated trombonists. He’s appeared on over 200 recordings and has worked with a variety of artists including Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys, David Sanborn, Christian McBride, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Paul Simon, Jon Batiste, and others. His musical journey began when he studied the saxophone and trumpet before switching to trombone when he was 17. Moving to New York in 2001, he became a member of the first class of jazz students at the Juilliard School, earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. While attending Juilliard, he was the recipient of many awards including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. His first professional gig was in 2002 when he joined Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band, which led to him becoming a member of the Jimmy Heath Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, the Roy Hargrove Big Band, and others. His recorded debut as a band leader was 2010’s Grace. He followed that up with a series of acclaimed albums including Going Home (2013), Let’s Get Real (2015), Father Figure (2016), Bonafide (2018), and Give It All You Got (2021).
