💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory

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Michael Dease is a total monster on the jazz trombone, a multi-Grammy winner, and a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, he started playing at 17 and quickly made his way up to New York as part of Juilliard’s very first jazz class. Since then, he's played on over 250 records, won the DownBeat Critics Poll multiple times, and now helps shape the next generation of players as a professor at Michigan State University.
Dease has always had a deep love for big bands, having played with powerhouse ensembles like Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Christian McBride Big Band, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. He really locked in his skills as a large ensemble leader back in 2011 during a legendary two-year monthly residency lab in Greenwich Village.
His brand new release, Return Trajectory, marks an exciting return to that big band format. It’s not just a trip down memory lane—it’s a fresh continuation of his big band journey. Backed by a high-energy lineup of rising stars from MSU and brilliant special guests, the album brings an urgent, live-session energy to new originals, collaborations with executive producer Gregg Hill, and straight-ahead jazz classics.

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The Deep Dive
The album kicks off with the smooth, soulful horn layers of You Know I Love You, a Dease original that gives guest flugelhornist Dennis Adu and alto sax star Erena Terakubo plenty of room to shine with full backing by Michael Dease on trombone, Mason Reinhardt and Stephen Michaels on alto sax, Paloma Ximena and Shane Karas on tenor sax, Andrew Wittmer on bari sax, Aiden Clark, Miles Cole, Eli Howell ,and Elizabeth Shafer on trombone, Scott Beck, Joel Reaves, Eli Rachlin and Andrew Brown on trumpet, Max Gage on piano, Jonathan Hilliard on bass, Sam Melkonian on drums and Zach Sommerfield on guitar. Dease really blows the back out on trombone making this track a stellar opener.  Oasis written by veteran composer Gregg Hill is my favorite track on the release with some monster riffs by Sommerfield on guitar. It’s a dynamic ride that lets the rhythm section stretch out, setting up a fluid solo by Mason Reinhardt on soprano sax, dynamic trombone work by Miles Cole, and nicely muted work by Joel Reaves on trumpet. Very nice. 


Dease really steps it up with a huge bari sax solo on Cherokee, which really puts the band in jump mode. Another real show stopper is Dease on bari sax on Up South, where he slows things down and features a completely unaccompanied, 4 minute plus solo. WOW! Wrapping the release is J.J. Johnson’s Little Dave, with its driving full on attack. Excellent trumpet lead with warm sax backing and piano punctuation leads to and extended trombone lead from Dease. This track is bop with band backing. Excellent closer for a strong release
📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand
🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Michael Dease (Trombone, Baritone Saxophone, Conductor). Woodwinds: Mason Reinhardt, Stephen Michaels, Paloma Ximena, Shane Karas, Andrew Wittmer. Trombones: Aidan Clark, Miles Cole, Eli Howell, Elisabeth Shafer. Trumpets: Scott Belck, Joel Reaves, Eli Rachlin, Andrew Brown. Rhythm: Max Gage (Piano), Zach Sommerfeld (Guitar), Jonathan Hilliard (Bass), Sam Melkonian (Drums). Special Guests: Erena Terakubo (Alto Saxophone) & Dennis Adu (Flugelhorn).

  1. You Know I Love You
  2. Oasis
  3. Cherokee
  4. Shoreline 151
  5. Up South
  6. Little Dave
🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand
Album Title (Click to View Store) Record Label Accreditation Year
Return Trajectory Origin Records Michael Dease 2026
Flow Origin Records Michael Dease 2025
Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill Origin Records Michael Dease 2024

 

Watch: Michael Dease Big Band Oasis


This album is an absolute heater from start to finish. It kicks off with a soulful brass-heavy original that lets the special guests tear it up, before sliding right into a killer Gregg Hill track packed with monster guitar riffs and loose, flowing solos. The leader keeps everyone on their toes by swapping his trombone for a baritone sax to spark a total swing frenzy, even delivering a jaw-dropping, four-minute unaccompanied solo that completely steals the show. By the time they wrap things up with a high-energy bop standard full of crisp trumpet leads and thick horn textures, you're left with a modern big band session that feels beautifully raw and incredibly strong.

Bman's Verdict

This album is an absolute big band heater, packing everything from soulful, guest-heavy originals and killer guitar riffs to a jaw-dropping four-minute unaccompanied saxophone solo that seals its status as a remarkably strong modern jazz release.


Label:Origin Records

Released: June 26, 2026

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