“…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 // John Lee-guitar, Mike Kuhl-drums
(Every thursday in the house band at the Bluebird Jazz Jam with Charlie Ballantine)
March:
3/5 - Alon Nechushtan group @ Carroll Community College // 7pm // DM & Russell Kirk-saxophones, Alex Weber-bass, Mike Kuhl-drums, Alon Nechushtan-piano/compositions
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
(Every thursday in the house band at the Bluebird Jazz Jam with Charlie Ballantine, with the exception of 3/5, as noted above)
April:
4/21 - Monthly hit at Wine Collective 6-9pm
(Every thursday in the house band at the Bluebird Jazz Jam with Charlie Ballantine)
May:
5/18 Duo with Chris Frick for the “Peace in the Valley” series at Comptoir Du Vin
(Every thursday in the house band at the Bluebird Jazz Jam with Charlie Ballantine)
Efrain Ribeiro
“Derrick Michaels' saxophone playing comes right out of his soul; the instrument sounds like a human voice.”
— Baltimore Jazz Alliance