Michael Malis
Solo Piano
Wednesday March 5 2025
Doors 7:00pm | Music Promptly at 7:30pm
Fort Street Presbyterian Church
631 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48226

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Join Michael Malis for a rare solo piano recital. Staged in the historic Fort Street Presbyterian Church, an acoustical marvel and historic landmark that was built in 1855, this recital will be a singular affair.

Malis’s solo piano recitals have been praised by audiences and critics. His presentations focus heavily on his original compositions, while drawing on the tradition of jazz and improvised music and incorporating creative arrangements of classical pieces and folk music. In addition to his wide selection of original compositions, Malis draws on pieces from composers such as Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Alexander Scriabin, Geri Allen, and Andrew Hill, to sculpt dynamic and engaging programs.

Malis’s recent solo performances have been diverse affairs, drawing on the full breadth of musical traditions that informs his pianistic approach. Recent compositions, such as his anthemic “Hold Tightly Your Vision of How Things Can Be”, have pushed the limits of pianistic technique, utilizing various extended techniques inside the piano to create unexpected sonic palates. Other works, such as his “Imperfect Intervals” suite, are spacious and lush worlds that he invites the audience into. And his deftness as an improviser keeps the program fresh every night.

Still, he stays conversant with his musical ancestors, often creating fresh arrangements of masterworks from a variety of musical traditions.