Preorder "Conjure," a new album from Balance!

Friends,

Today's announcement is a long time in the making. In January of 2020, my close friend Marcus Elliot and I went into the Northern Michigan woods to write our next album. We crafted eight new pieces and recorded them as soon as we got home. Two months later, the world shut down.

Now, almost three years after it was recorded, I'm so proud that we finally get to share with you:

Conjure

And join us on Saturday, Decmeber 10 at Trinosophes as we launch this album.

Crafted by myself on piano and saxophonist Marcus Elliot, Conjure is the next chapter in a decades-long conversation between us. Our familiar duet configuration is home base, but we're also joined by special guests drummer Gerald Cleaver and poet Chace Morris. Conjure oscillates between intuitive improvisations, deft compositions to conjure a sound world unique to this ensemble.

Releasing on Detroit-based Two Rooms Records, Conjure will be available as a premium vinyl (LP) and as digital download. No streaming.

The Big Announcement

Later today (Friday November 4), we'll be live on WDET's Culture Shift, playing some music from the record and talking about it. Join us in the 1:00pm EST hour. 101.9 FM in the Detroit area, or live anywhere at wdet.org.

In Other News

In other news, my trio is making its return to the stage this weekend. Join us at Cliff Bell's, Detroit's premiere jazz club. We'll be in residency all weekend.

Michael Malis - piano
Jaribu Shahid - bass
Nova Zaii - drums

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (11/4, 11/5, 11/6)
Show times at 7:30 and 9:30 each night
$25

That's all for now. Stay safe, and hope to see you out there.

Best wishes,
- Michael

From Darkness We Awaken -- Out Today

Hey friends,

From Darkness We Awaken is out today! I'm so excited to be able to share this music with you. Check it out.

The album is available in three formats:
- digital download
- CD (digital download included)
- 16 page booklet featuring writings, poetry, photography, artwork, and ephemera related to the project (digital download included)

And if you're in the Detroit area, please join us for the release show TONIGHT, happening at the Detroit Institute of Arts! We'll be playing this music, and I'll be debuting some other brand new music, as well. It's going to be a special night that you won't want to miss.

Tickets are free but limited -- preregister at the link below.

Friday August 26 | 7:00pm
Free
Detroit Institute of Arts (inside the Detroit Film Theater)
5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test Required | Masks Required

Thanks, as always, for your support. I'm so grateful to be able to share this music with you all.

Best wishes,
- Michael

From Darkness We Awaken -- One Week Away

Hey friends,

Over the last month, I've been telling everyone who will listen about From Darkness We Awaken, the new album from Virago and myself, out soon on Made Now Music. I've been overwhelmed by the response, and I'm so grateful to you all for investing your time and energy in creative music. we're so incredibly proud of this music, and can't wait to share it all with you soon.

I'm just popping in here to let you all know that we are one week away from release day!

The album officially drops on August 26. If you haven't pre-ordered it yet, you can get it here:

The album is available in three formats:
- digital download
- CD (digital download included)
- 16 page booklet featuring writings, poetry, photography, artwork, and ephemera related to the project (digital download included)

And if you're in the Detroit area, please join us for the release show, happening at the Detroit Institute of Arts! We'll be playing this music, and I'll be debuting some other brand new music, as well. It's going to be a special night that you won't want to miss.

Tickets are free but limited -- you must preregister in advance.

Friday August 26 | 7:00pm
Free
Detroit Institute of Arts (inside the Detroit Film Theater)
5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test Required | Masks Required

Thank again for all of your support. Let's talk soon.

Best wishes,
- Michael

Friday Night Live at the DIA!

Join me:

Friends,

I'm so excited to share this news for you. On Friday, August 26, I'll be headlining the Detroit Institute of Arts' lauded Friday Night Live series! I'll be joined by my good friends at Virago, as we launch our new record, From Darkness We Awaken.

Tickets are FREE but must be reserved in advance!

I'll also be premiering a new solo piano work, as well as a brand new ensemble version of my Imperfect Intervals suite, featuring stunning visuals by Zara Teicher.

It would mean the world to me to see you there. I hope you can join us.

Thanks, as always, for your continued support,

-Michael

Friday, August 26
7:00pm
Free
Inside the Detroit Film Theater
5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202
Proof of Vaccination and Masks Required

From Darkness We Awaken - Preorder Now!

Today I get to do something I've been waiting a long time to do...

...and that is, announce my forthcoming album, From Darkness We Awaken. Commissioned by Virago and performed by myself and Virago, this music has been almost three years in the making.

I'm so proud to share that it's being released on Made Now Music, the Brisbane Australia-based label that's behind some of my favorite music over the last few years.

The album officially drops on August 26. You can preorder it here:

The album is available in three formats:
- digital download
- CD (digital download included)
- 16 page booklet featuring writings, poetry, photography, artwork, and ephemera related to the project (digital download included)

Preorder the CD

Preorder the Booklet

Lastly, if you're in the Detroit area, stay tuned for details on the release show. It's going to be big, it's going to be safe, and it's going to include other music, too.

August 26, 7:00pm -- save the date.

That's all for now. There will be much more about this music in the coming weeks. Thanks so much for your support, and for your continued support throughout the years.