The acclaimed trombonist, composer, Michigan State University educator and versatile multi-instrumentalist releases another album later this month, with a Saturday concert at The Alluvion.
Loving Michigan’s ‘Two-Way’ Street of Musicians and Students: Michael Dease (Photo/Jessica Cowles)
SCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN TO MICHAEL DEASE’S MUSIC
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Those who can, do. And Michael Dease certainly can and does. And yes, he teaches, too.
The acclaimed trombonist indeed can play most anything. Not only is the Michigan State University jazz trombone professor an accomplished virtuoso on trombone and bass trombone, he’s equally conversant on baritone sax, trumpet, flugelhorn, bass and piano.
And make no mistake, he loves teaching. So much so that two jazz students from Michigan State will be part of his band when he performs at The Alluvion in Traverse City on Saturday (Jan. 10). Saxophonist Paloma Ximena and bassist Langston Kitchen will join Dease, celebrated drummer Billy Kilson and multi-faceted pianist Geoffrey Keezer as the Michael Dease City Life Quintet. Advance tickets, $30, for the 7:30 p.m. show are available online here.
The show will focus on music composed by Greg Hill. “He’s become very inspirational for my music-making over the last three years,” says Dease. “I heard it (Hill’s music) with Rodney Whitaker’s ‘Outrospection’ and I was interested in checking out more of his music.”
Hill is a Lansing-based composer whose music has been recorded by a number of jazz and world music artists. Dease says he enjoys the fact it allows him to free his imagination when playing.
LISTEN: Michael Dease, “ST In The House” (from “Flow”)
Dease says he also enjoys the fact that there are so many active jazz musicians of all ages nearby, from Detroit through Lansing to Grand Rapids. “There’s access to a lot of music. The benefit of being a professor is it’s really great to have gotten to interact with the next generation of rich musical minds. It’s a two-way street. I learn so much as I teach students.”
Dease credits Whitaker, the head of the jazz program at MSU, with inspiring him as well as students. “I couldn’t imagine moving from New York City to the middle of Michigan,” he says. “Rodney’s the guide … his depth and musicianship.
Dease: Working ‘as a catalyst.’ (Photo/Jessica Cowles)
He also praises James Forger, the Dean of the College of Music at MSU. “He had the vision to hire Rodney and place him as the head (of the jazz program). Rodney wasn’t sure about taking the position. I’m so glad he did.”
Dease has not stepped back from recording or performing. The five-time winner of the DownBeat Magazine Poll for Trombonist of the Year and multi-Grammy Award winner has performed with a who’s who of artists, including Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton on the jazz side, as well as pop musicians such as Alicia Keys, Paul Simon, Paul Schaffer and the CBS Orchestra, Elton John and Neil Diamond.
The Georgia native has recorded 18 albums as a leader, with a variety of band members. His 11th album for the Posi-Tone label, “Flow,” was released last September. Among the 11 tracks are five Dease originals, including “The Rodfather,” a nod to Whitaker on which Dease walks the blues on upright bass, a tune by Keezer and one by Dease’s former employer, the late trumpeter Claudio Roditi.
Another album, “MSU Jazz Trombones: Spartan Strong,” will be released Jan. 16 on Origin Records and features a bevy of special guests. Scroll down to listen to the track, “Song of Those Who Seek.”
Dease also will participate in Christian McBride’s “World at Sea” cruise embarking from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 20 – a star-studded affair with top-shelf performers, including Ledisi, Samara Joy, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Angelique Kidjo and others.
Whatever the set list, Dease and company will showcase their virtuosity and will always swing. “With this group, I’m really excited about the way the band is going to gel and react to each other. My life is about connecting different generations and different backgrounds,” he continues.
He cites Kilson’s experience with the likes of George Duke, Steps Ahead, Michael Franks, Bob James and Dave Holland and the fact Keezer was the last pianist and the youngest-ever member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (he and Wynton Marsalis were both 18 when they joined the legendary drummer’s band). Then there are the upcoming talents balancing out the group. “I’m in the middle. I work as a catalyst,” Dease says.
“We react authentically and appropriately. There’s so much experience and enthusiasm.”
LISTEN: Michael Dease, “Song of Those Who Seek”
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
