Michael Malis is a composer, pianist, and music educator based in Detroit, MI.  Noted for his “jaw-dropping display of improvisational power” (All About Jazz), Malis is a recipient of Greem America Foundations’ 40 under 40 Award.  He has taught at the University of Michigan and the Interlochen Arts Academy, and is currently a doctoral student at University of Michigan. 

As a recording artist he has released 13 albums.  His music has been described as downright transcendental (Maggot Brain Magazine() and “uncommonly mature” (Detroit Free Press).  He was noted as “among the most compelling Detroit jazz musicians of his generation (Jazz from Detroit, University of Michigan Press). His compositions have been performed across the U.S., including at Harvard, University of Maryland, The Owl (Brooklyn) and Orchestral Hall (Detroit).  

As a pianist Malis has shared the stage with a diverse array of musicians, including Marcus Belgrave, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Rober Hurst, Gerald Cleaver, Jaribu Shahid, John Lindberg, William Hooker, Spencer Barefield, Tyshawn Sorey, Brandee Younger, J.D. Allen and Marion Hayden.  

He is the founder of Other Tones, a concert series providing performance opportunities for local and national composer-performers.  To date, Other Tones has represented 22 artists from 7 cities, including underrepresented groups, presenting majority queer, BIPOC and femme-identifying artists. 

Website: https://www.michaelmalis.com/
Instagram: @michaelnomalice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.malis