“…large sound and free flowing style…”
— Downbeat Magazine 2022
Efrain Ribeiro
Baltimore-native Derrick Michaels is a tenor saxophonist and improviser with a deep sound and a bold, imaginative presence in the creative music community. With roots in both the lyrical and exploratory branches of the creative saxophone tradition, his wide expressive palette brings a soulful, melodic sincerity to a wide range of musical environments.
He has been described by Jazz Weekly as a “thick-toned tenorist”, and by Downbeat magazine as wielding a “large sound and free flowing style”. The Baltimore Jazz Alliance says: “Derrick Michaels' saxophone playing comes right out of his soul; the instrument sounds like a human voice.”
Recurring 2026 Performances
Monthly:
Weekly:
Unique 2026 Performances
January:
1/3 - Ishta @ Backwater Books // 8pm // featuring Derrick Michaels and Dave Ballou
1/20 - Monthly hit at Wine Collective // 6-9pm // Trio with Grant Le on Bass and Dominic Smith on drums
1/26 - Duo with Mike Kuhl @ Wax Atlas // 5523 Harford Rd // triple bill with Ida Dierker and Rapid Eye (NYC) Doors @ 7pm
February:
2/7 - Ishta @ Backwater Books // 8pm // with Ahmed Warshanna, Lucas Netto, Jake Askarinam, and Aleko Lionikis
2/17 - Monthly Hit at Wine Collective // 6-9pm // Mike Kuhl on drums
March:
3/5 - Carroll Community College with Alon Nechustan group (details TBA)
3/10 - Trio Xolo iBeam Brookly, NY (details TBA)
3/17 - Monthly hit at Wine Collective 6-9pm
3/29 - Nick a Nee’s in Providence, RI // 4-7pm // with Brendan Carniaux reeds, Dan Liparini guitar, Evan Carley bass, Max Goldman drums
April:
4/21 - Monthly hit at Wine Collective 6-9pm
May:
5/18 Duo with Chris Frick for the “Peace in the Valley” series at Comptoir Du Vin
Efrain Ribeiro
“Derrick Michaels' saxophone playing comes right out of his soul; the instrument sounds like a human voice.”
— Baltimore Jazz Alliance