Bright Moments

Hi Friends,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy! I’ve been keeping quiet, but staying extremely busy. Here area some of the exciting musical things that have been happening in my world recently:

From Darkness We Awaken

Last fall, I was commissioned to compose a new piece for Virago, an amazing chamber/improvising/beyond description ensemble. The result of that was From Darkness We Awaken, for myself on piano plus their ensemble. We just started rehearsing together last week, and we are recording the piece in early June. I’m so excited for this project I can barely contain myself. They are making my music sound so incredible. I can’t wait to share this project with you! I’m shooting for it to be out in December of this year.

If you’re looking to support this project, please get in touch!

Virago and I in our first rehearsal of From Darkness We Awaken

Other happenings

I’m still taking performing slow this summer (although I do have a few small things booked… more on that later) but I’m gearing up for a very busy Fall 2021. In August, I’ll be releasing a new solo piano set, Imperfect Intervals, on 1473 Records. The recordings will be available as a digital download and on streaming platforms, and the sheet music will also be available for purchase.

And later in the Fall, Balance will be releasing our second album, tentatively titled Conjure, on Two Rooms Records. That will be pressed to vinyl, and features myself and Marcus Elliot, as well as guest appearances by Gerald Cleaver and Chase Morris.

I’ll keep you all updated on these exciting projects, and other happenings, as the summer progresses. For now, stay healthy and I can’t wait to share space with you again!

Best Wishes,
- Michael

This Weekend -- Two Can't Miss Live Streams

Hi everyone,
Popping in to remind you of my two virtual performances this weekend.

On Friday February 26 at 6:30pm, I’ll be live from the Saugatuck Center for the Arts for a solo piano concert. I’ll be playing some old music, some new music, and some music by heroes (Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, Sun Ra, Alexander Scriabin.) Grab your tickets here.

On Saturday February 27 at 2:00pm, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will broadcast a performance and conversation from my group Balance (with saxophonist Marcus Elliot.) This show will be part of a 5-hour festival, Jazz From Detroit (curated by Mark Stryker,) featuring ourselves and some of our Detroit Jazz heroes. Get your tickets here.

Drop me a message if you need anything.

Thanks, and stay safe,

- Michael

Photo by Costa Kazaleh Sirdenis

Two Upcoming Livestream Events

Hi friends,

Hope everyone is doing well and getting through the winter! I have two virtual livestream concerts coming up at the end of the month that you can enjoy from the safety and warmth of your own home:

On Friday February 26 at 6:30pm, I’ll be live from the Saugatuck Center for the Arts in Saugatuck, MI, for a Solo Piano concert as part of their Hemphy Keyboard Series. I’ll be playing some new music that I’ve been working on in quarantine, as well as some old music from months and years ago. My first solo piano gig in a very long time. Would be great for you to join me virtually! Tickets are $20, and can be purchased here:

https://www.sc4a.org/program-tickets/?eid=48725

Photo Credit: Jeff Dunn

On Saturday February 27 at 2:00pm, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will broadcast Jazz from Detroit: Virtual Music Marathon. In November, Balance (myself and Marcus Elliot) sat down in front of a limited live audience in Orchestra Hall for an interview and performance with author Mark Stryker about jazz, Detroit, our influences, and the legacy of this music. Our show is part of 5 hour festival presentation, featuring performances and interviews with jazz legends Charles McPherson, Robert Hurst, and Regina Carter. Tickets are only $9, and can be purchased here:

https://www.dso.org/watch/1226798

Hope to virtually see you at one or both of these! Stay safe, and thanks as always for your support,

- Michael

Marginalia Vol. 2: Six Lullabies

Hey everyone,

I decided to drop a little year-end collection to commemorate the crazy year that was.

These six pieces were recorded in October and November of 2020, as I was preparing for the birth of my first child. These little lullabies provided the soundtrack for his last days in the womb and his first moments and days of life on the outside. I wasn’t sure if I would put these out or not, but I realized that if I don’t share them now I probably never will. So just like we’re letting go of 2020 soon, I’m letting go of these songs. Enjoy.

Listen Here.

For now they’ll be on Bandcamp only. I might add them to the streaming services at some point.

I’m offering this music for free, as a gift to you. But if you decide to chip in some money, all proceeds through the end of 2020 will benefit the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Building:Arts initiative, which is raising funds to provide instruments, sheet music, art supplies, dance floors, and more to DPSCD students. www.detroitk12.org/BuildingArts

Thanks as always for your continued support,

- Michael

2020 in Review - Looking Ahead

Friends and supporters,

I don’t need to tell you that 2020 has been quite a year. Nonetheless, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the year that was, and let you all know some of my plans for 2021. But before I do anything else, I want to tell you thank you. Your support has meant so much to me, especially in this difficult year. I’m honored to be able to make music for you, and I do it with humility and gratitude.

For starters — I’m happy to announce that as of today, you can now purchase a wide variety of products directly on my website! Go to www.michaelmalis.com/store to browse the selection. I’m most proud of the new collection of scores — over 20 compositions and compilations available at the moment. Offering scores for sale is a brave new step for me, so reach out and let me know what you think. And feel free to share with a musician in your life — they make great digital stocking stuffers.

While you’re there, you can complete your holiday shopping by picking up some of the recordings that I released in 2020: Three Pieces for Piano, Marginalia, and Dualisms, as well as my 2015 release Lifted From the No of All Nothing, and the posters and zine from Dualisms. Check it out.

Like many people, I’m really looking forward to 2021. I have two big digital concerts happening in February. On Friday, February 26, join me digitally for a live stream solo piano concert from the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (get your tickets now!) Also in February on a yet-to-be-announced date, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will be broadcasting a concert and conversation between myself, Marcus Elliot (Balance Duo) and writer Mark Stryker. I’ll let you know the date of that as soon as I do.

Speaking of Balance — Marcus and I will be putting out a brand new album on Two Rooms Records in Summer of 2021. I’m also working on a new record featuring my new composition From Darkness We Awaken, performed by myself and Virago. I have new solo material for a solo piano record. And my collaborative chamber-improvising quartet, Gnostikos, is working on a new project. So 2021 will continue to be busy.

I’ll let you know more specifics about all the upcoming happenings as I know them. But for now, I mostly want to say thank you. We have made it through this wild year together, and I’m so grateful for your support. Onward and upward!

- Michael

P.S. — astute observers might notice that this newsletter looks slightly different than previous issues. I’m piloting a new system where I link my newsletter with my blog on my website. So if you’d like to see previous issues, leave a comment, or share with a friend, you can now go to www.michaelmalis.com/newsletter to see the archive. Hopefully this new system works well. Just like before, this newsletter will be delivered directly to your inbox, so your experience shouldn’t change at all.