Michael Dease was born in Augusta, GA. He was raised in the “Deep South” and learned to play the trumpet and saxophone before deciding to take up the trombone when he turned 17. Dease, who was part of The Juilliard School’s historic first class, moved to New York City in 2001 to earn both a Bachelors and a Masters degree. Dease quickly gained a reputation for being a great soloist and sideman and started recording as a leader. Dease’s most recent release, Decisions (2015 Posi-Tone), highlights his composition skills as well as his talented and enthusiastic band. This record contains a balanced mix of original compositions as well as thought-provoking arrangements. Alto saxophonist Tim Green, guitarist Glenn Zaleski and Rodney Whitaker are among the musicians. Powerhouse drummer Ulysses Owens is also part of this quintet. Dease has previously released six albums as a leader: The Takeover (2006), Clarity (2007) and Dease Bones (2008). Grace (2010), Coming Home (2013), Relentless (2014 Posi-Tone) are all examples. Dease is a highly sought-after, two-time Grammy-winning lead, section, and bass trombonist in today’s top jazz orchestras. He has been a part of many bands including those led by Christian McBride and Nicholas Payton, Charles Tolliver and Rufus Reid. It is here that Dease has resurrected the trombone’s image, leading quintets or sextets with master musicians such as Winard Harper, Rene Rosnes and Claudio Roditi. Dease is not content to improvise. He also arranges and composes music for many bands. Dease’s unusual combination of curiosity, hardwork, and optimism has earned him worldwide recognition. He has received awards from ASCAP (The International Trombone Association), Yamaha, Eastern Trombone Workshop and New York Youth Symphony among others. Cicily Janus recently featured Dease in her book The New Face of Jazz: A Intimate Look At Today’s Living Legends (Random House). Dease’s unique talent has made him a prolific and effective teacher. This has resulted in invitations to master classes, residencies and master classes at University of North Texas and University of Iowa, Scranton University, University of Iowa and University of Florida, Florida State College, Broward College and many other institutions around the world. He is currently a jazz trombone teacher at Michigan State University’s acclaimed jazz program. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Queens College – CUNY and The New School, as well as Northeastern University. Many of Dease’s former and current students have enjoyed successful careers in music. Dease is a forward-thinking, knowledgeable musician who learned his craft from Joseph Alessi and Wycliffe Gordon, trombone greats. His musical associations include Alicia Keys and Paul Simon, Paul Schaffer, the CBS Orchestra, Elton John and Neal Diamond, Illinois Jacquet and Slide Hampton.
