Michael Dease "Found In Space" Scores a Five Finger Review of 93!

by Illiam Sebitz, 5 Finger Review

— September 5, 2024

In Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, Michael Dease and his ensemble showcase Gregg Hill’s ability to compose music that both challenges and inspires.

Michael Dease’s latest album, Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, is a unique and creative journey through the mind of Michigan-based composer Gregg Hill, whose work deftly balances complexity with accessibility. Released by Origin Records on September 20, 2024, the album honors Hill’s exceptional compositional voice, combining intricate counterpoint, shifting time signatures, and surprising harmonic textures with an ensemble of top-tier jazz musicians. Dease, an award-winning trombonist and baritone saxophonist, leads his ensemble to express Hill’s genre-bending compositions’ many moods and colors.

The ensemble assembled for Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill are contemporary jazz talents and educators, each musician bringing a unique voice and exceptional artistry to the project. At the helm, Dease on trombone and baritone saxophone, showcasing his versatility as a performer, arranger, and bandleader. Joining him is Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto saxophone, Sharel Cassity on flute and alto saxophone, Jason Hainsworth on tenor saxophone, and Virginia MacDonald on clarinet, each delivering solos rich in expression and technical brilliance. The brass section shines with trumpeter Matt White and trombonist Nanami Haruta, whose contributions add depth and color to the ensemble’s sound. Bill Cunliffe, a Grammy-winning pianist, anchors the rhythm section alongside bassist Katie Thiroux and drummer Colleen Clark, while Gwendolyn Dease’s marimba and percussion work injects a pulsating energy into the mix. Together, this group forms a cohesive unit capable of creatively navigating Gregg Hill’s compositions, making every track a vivid exploration of Hill’s musical imagination. ... [ read the full article ]