Born: May 7, 1963 Primary Instrument: Trombone
Originally from Fargo, North Dakota- Mike is fortunate to be living his dream, making a living as a New York City musician. Cursed with and open mind and a willingness to try things, he is involved in the NYC scene in many ways.
Mike started out with trombone lessons from his father, who later was his high school band director. This led to the University of Northern Colorado where he studied with Buddy Baker. Before finishing his degree Mike was called by Ray Charles to tour the world with his orchestra. After finishing his degree at Moorhead State University (MN), Mike knew it was time to move to NYC.
Upon arrival, he was awarded a performance scholarship to complete his Master’s Degree at the Manhattan School of Music studying trombone with Hal Janks (Metropolitan Opera) and composition with Ludmilla Ulehla . Thus matriculated, it was time to find work, and it came in an array of forms: 11 straight years of once-a-week jazz gigs at The Cajun Restaurant (16th St), tours with Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi and the The Toasters (ska). Performances with a wide range of artists: John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Benny Carter, Pulse, Fred Hersch, The American Classical Orchestra, Pittsburgh Collective, The Westminster Choir, and Mario Bauza. Mike’s jazz trio: mc3, recently toured Japan, and he has been heard regularly on Broadway in the shows: 42nd Street, The Threepenny Opera. and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Currently in the pit at Young Frankenstein.
On various instruments, he has recorded with Fred Hersch, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Ken Peplowski, Randy Sandke, The Toasters, and Pittsburgh Collective.
Mike has been utilized as an arranger/transcriber/composer by: Jazz@Lincoln Center, Bobby Short, Loren Schoenberg Bog Band, Central Park Brass, Brass Arts Collective and The International Music Camp.
As a conductor, Mike has founded The Gotham Wind Symphony, a 45-piece wind orchestra who have produced two CDs to date. “Music For Children (and those who listen with them)” , and “American Gotham” Both CDs are available on the GWS ArtistShare website: www.gothamwindsymphony.com. He also founded and leads the community band in his town: the Fair Lawn Diamond Jubilee Band, now in their 8th year.
An effective and eager teacher, Mike is currently on the faculty of New Jersey City University (NJ).
Awards:
International Trombone Association Frank Rosolino Award- 1988
Last Updated: May 7, 2008
“Among the instrumental high points: …Mike Christianson’s plunger-muted trombone on ‘My Lovers
Suffocate Me’”.
-Don Heckman- Los Angeles Times
“….ominous…”
-Downbeat
“…superb Tricky Sam is now plunger-muted trombone by Mike Christianson.”
-Marc Meyers- All About Jazz(CD review)
“…trombonist Mike Christianson playing elegant solos, …”
- Will Stewart- Ann Arbor News
“…top honors for the brass section go to Mike Christianson, whose sexy growl highlighted “Part X: My
Lovers Suffocate Me”…”
-Greg Haymes- Albany TimesUnion
“…a catalog of noises like “alarm-bells”, “cries of stevedores” and “the bass of disjointed friendship” is
brilliantly embodied by trombonist Mike Christianson, et al…”
-Andrew Lindemann- JazzTimes
“…and trombonist Mike Christianson were also most effective. Christianson’s plunger muted solo was
very good.”
Marc Meyers- All About Jazz (live review)
Gotham Wind Symphony
American Gotham
Wack Cylinder
2006
Tracks: Northwest Suite, Prelude (To A Minor Insensitivity), Eventuations, Road Trip- Next Six
Miles,
Swamp Stomp, Stars Below, Barn Dance.
Mike Christianson, conductor.
Gotham Wind Symphony
Music For Children
Wack Cylinder
2003
Tracks: Mother Hubbard March, The Wheels On The Bus, Lullaby, Mother Goose March, Frere
Jacques, Jeremy, Children’s March, All The Pretty Little Horses, Twinkle Twinkle, Children’s Prayer, This
Old Man.
Mike Christianson, conductor.
Pete McGuinness
First Flight
Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra
Summit
2007
Tracks:.
Personnel: Mike Christianson: trombone.
Loren Schoenberg & His Orchestra
Randy Sandke
Subway Ballet
Randy Sandke & Metatonal Big Band
2006
Tracks:.
Personnel: Mike Christianson: trombone.
Fred Hersch
Leaves Of Grass
Fred Hersch
Palmetto
2005
Tracks:.
Personnel: Mike Christianson: trombone.
Loren Schoenberg
Out Of This World
Loren Schoenberg & His Big Band
TCB
1999
Tracks: That Old Feeling, Close As Pages In A Book, The Blue Room, Out Of This World, VFW,
Iguana, The Fable Of The Rose, Pulsacion, Moon Over Cuba, Jig Walk, Love Walked In, Bittersweet, Lover
Man, Around Town, Sure Thing, Shufflebug Shuffle.
Personnel: Mike Christianson: trombone.
Ken Peplowski
A Good Reed
Ken Peplowski
Concord
1997
Tracks: Luck Be A Lady, Dream Theme, Homage Concerto for Clarinet and Jazz Orchestra, Deep,
I’ve Never Been In Love Before, Purple Gazelle, Royal Garden Blues.
Personnel: Mike Christianson: trombone.
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Primary Instrument:
Trombone
Location:
Fair Lawn, NJ
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Sorry, no recommendations at this time.
Bach 36G, Bach 42G, Bach 50BG, Besson Eb Compensating, Besson
Compensating Euphonium. Monette Mouthpieces: TS6, TT5, BT1S, BT1, 94, 97.
