“…large sound and free flowing style…”

— Downbeat Magazine

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.”

Performance Dates

Public Summer Performance Dates:

June:

6/4 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

6/11 Derrick Michaels Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

6/18 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

6/14 - Erin Connelly Quartet + Hi Tom @ The Hargrove Baltimore, MD

6/25 - Michaels/Kuhl Duo + Aaron Irwin Duo @ Hargrove Baltimore, MD

6/26 - John Lee Trio + Aaron Irwin duo @ Palisades Hub, DC

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July:

7/2 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

7/9 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

7/16 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

7/26 Max Goldman band @ Nick A Nee’s 4-7pm Providence, RI

7/30 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

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August:

8/1 with Tom Swafford & Zach Swanson @ iBeam Brooklyn, NY

8/6 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

8/10 with Dave Ballou & John Dierker @ Le Comptoir Du Vin 7pm

8/13 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

8/20 Erin Connelly Quartet @ Tough Pill in Pittsburgh, PA

8/27 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

8/28 Order of the Ace with Joshua Espinoza and Steve Arnold 8:00-12:00

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September:

9/3 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

9/10 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

9/17 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

9/24 Affinity Quartet @ Bluebird Basement 8-11pm Baltimore, MD

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Looking Ahead into Autumn…

10/11 “Jazz Lunch” reunion at Peabody Heights Brewery 1-3pm full band lineup TBA

10/29 Talking Points triple bill @ Zen West Towson, MD

11/8 Duo with John Lee on guitar 2pm @ Cascades Library // 21030 Whitfield Pl, Potomac Falls, VA 20165

OFFERING LESSONS

Current saxophone instructor at Baltimore School for the Arts

Periodic guest lecturer at Peabody Jazz program since 2023

Adjunct Jazz Saxophone and Jazz Composition Professor Towson University 2025