Jazz Saxophone Faculty
Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz
The Hartt Schoolmicthomas@hartford.edu michaelthomasjazz.com Follow Michael Thomas on Facebook
Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger Michael Thomas has been an active member of the New York City jazz community since arriving in 2011. Holding degrees from the University of Miami, New England Conservatory, and The Juilliard School, Michael has performed throughout the United States and abroad, including tours in Central and South America, Australia, Europe, Japan, and Russia. His sideman work has included performances with Brad Mehldau, Dafnis Prieto, Nicholas Payton, Miguel Zenón, Etienne Charles, and Jason Palmer, and Michael’s talents can be heard on over 20 recordings, including his solo debut, The Long Way (2011). As a composer and arranger, Michael has been commissioned by school and professional ensembles throughout the United States, and he is currently a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop in New York City. His talents have been recognized by DownBeat magazine as well as the “Keep an Eye” competition in Amsterdam, NL, and in 2016 he was a winner of the New York Youth Symphony’s First Music commission series. Michael currently co-leads and writes for the Terraza Big Band based in Queens, NY, in addition to his own septet, quartet, and trio.
Michael plays exclusively on mouthpieces handcrafted by John Thomas.
IG: @mikethomasjazz