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Mike Christianson

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

Gear

Bach 36G, Bach 42G, Bach 50BG, Besson Eb Compensating, Besson Compensating Euphonium. Monette Mouthpieces: TS6, TT5, BT1S, BT1, 94, 97.


Tags

Album Review

David Sanford Big Band feat. Hugh Ragin: A Prayer for Lester Bowie

Read "A Prayer for Lester Bowie" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


La variopinta composizione di Hugh Ragin dedicata a Lester Bowie dà il titolo al nuovo album di David Sanford ma non ne esaurisce gli intenti. Il premiato compositore, bandleader e didatta di Pittsburgh aggiunge infatti sette suoi nuovi brani, confermando fantasiosa padronanza del disegno orchestrale in equilibrio tra linguaggio contemporaneo e tradizione. I brani del disco sono stati incisi nel 2016 e vedono la luce solo ora grazie all'etichetta Greenleaf di Dave Douglas. L'incisione è stata effettuata ...

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Performance / Tour

Mike Christianson Quintet at Arts Factory- Bayonne, NJ

Mike Christianson Quintet at Arts Factory- Bayonne, NJ

Source: All About Jazz


“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

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Primary Instrument

Trombone

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

A Prayer for Lester...

Greenleaf Music
2021

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Gotham Wind Symphony-...

Wack Cylinder Records
2007

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