Cliff Bell's this weekend, more on the horizon!

Hey everyone,

Popping in to share with you some upcoming performance dates! If you’re around, it would be fantastic to share some music with you.

Happening Immediately

Michael Malis Trio — Cliff Bell’s (Detroit)
Friday February 10 and Saturday February 11 || 7:30 and 9:30 || $25
Jaribu Shahid - bass // Nova Zaii - drums
Reservations: www.cliffbells.com

Michael Malis vs. Jonathan Barahal Taylor — Ziggy’s (Ypsilanti)
Wednesday February 15 || 8:00pm || no cover
Solos, duos, etc.
Location: https://www.ziggysypsistore.com/

Will Be Here Before You Know It

Other Tones 002 — Huckleberry Club (Detroit, email me for address)
Saturday March 4 || 3:00pm || $10
Panto Collapsar, Jacob Rogers
Musical elsewheres, otherwises, and never again
Info: https://www.instagram.com/other.tones/

Michael Malis Trio — Lucille’s Jazz Lounge (Toledo, OH)
Friday March 18 || 7:15pm || $10-$22
Jaribu Shahid - bass // David Alvarez III - drums
tickets: https://lucillesjazzlounge.com/event/michael-malis-trio/




Michael Malis “Searching for the Center” — Kerrytown Concert House (Ann Arbor)
Friday April 28 || 7:30pm || $19-$50
MM - solo piano
Tickets available soon: https://www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com/event/michael-malis-searching-for-the-center-solo-piano-explorations/

Balance — Natural Peals @ Paramita Sound (Detroit)
Wednesday March 8 || 9:00pm || no cover
MM - piano // Marcus Elliot - saxophone
Location: https://www.paramita.xyz/


Balance — Kerrytown Concert House (Ann Arbor)

Friday March 31 || 7:30pm || $19-$50
MM - piano // Marcus Elliot - saxophone
Ann Arbor release of Conjure
tickets: https://www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com/event/balance-duo-with-marcus-elliot-saxophone-michael-malis-piano-conjure-ann-arbor-album-release-performance/

Further Down the Road

Balance is going on tour this summer! We have confirmed dates in Brooklyn, Toronto, and Traverse City. We’ll be filling this out over the next couple of months, and will make sure you know about it when the time is right. Be on the lookout!

That’s all for now. Hope you’re doing well, and I hope to see you out there.

Till soon,

Michael

Wrapping Up 2022 With a Gift For You

2022 has been a big year

…and it wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you so much for your support. I’m grateful to do what I do, and grateful that I get to share it with you.

To celebrate the year that was, enjoy this brand new video from my Detroit Institute of Arts show in August! My composition Imperfect Intervals, featuring a magical performance by Virago and stunning visuals by Zara Teicher. This video was artfully directed and produced by Matt Lima.

Some highlights from 2022…

Conjure

Earlier this month, my friend Marcus Elliot and I released Conjure on Two Rooms Records. Our release show at Trinosophes was a memorable one. We have vinyl! Check it out below.

 

From Darkness We Awaken

In August, I released From Darkness We Awaken. Featuring the aforementioned Virago and released on the Brisbane-based label MADE NOW MUSIC, the whole process of producing this work was extremely rewarding. I made friends across the world, and even briefly hit #1 on a college radio station’s charts! We celebrated with a huge show at the DIA.

 

Other Tones

I started producing concerts again under the moniker Other Tones. We did one in 2022, and we have several in the works for 2023. Be on the lookout for this series: musical elsewheres, otherwises, and never-agains.

 

The trio returns

For the first time in many years, I’ve rebooted my trio. We had an amazing run at Cliff Bell’s, a fun gig at the Blue Llama, and we’re developing new music. Look for more from this group soon.

 

Much more planned for 2023, but I’ll leave it here for now. Thanks, as always, for your support. Happy holidays, get some rest, and I hope to see you in the new year!

Best wishes,

Michael

Balance - Conjure - Album Launch and Release Show!

Balance (Marcus Elliot, Michael Malis) - Photo by Doug Coombe

Friends,

My friend Marcus Elliot and I are ending 2022 in style by releasing our second album as Balance: Conjure, out soon on Two Rooms Records! Preorder the album now, and join us for the album release show on Saturday December 10!

Saturday December 10, 7:30pm, $10
www.trinosophes.com

Lastly, you can preview the music and preorder the record here. Available from Two Rooms Records as Vinyl LP, Compact Disc, or Digital Download. No streaming for this one. Check it out here:

Album artwork: The Hanging Gardens by Addie Langford

Thanks as always for your support. I'm so lucky to be able to do this, and I wouldn't be able to do it without you. Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season and New Year!

Best Wishes,
- Michael

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