MICHAEL DEASE PERFORMS THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 AT MAKEDA 

NBJP: What living musician has influenced you most?

MD:  The legendary saxophonist/composer Jimmy Heath continues to inspire me as a musician and a human being.  

NBJP: What would you want to be if you weren’t a jazz musician?

MD:  That’s tough. I’ve always thought highly of investigators, so maybe a Detective or Journalist.

NBJP: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

MD:  I’d like to me more patient and disciplined, especially with practice time.  

NBJP: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure? (G-rated please!)

MD:  Anything scary or supernatural- like a book, movie, haunted house. etc.

NBJP: Are you a “pet person”? Dogs? Cats? Other? Not me?

MD:  I love most dogs, especially pugs.  Pugs are great in pairs, too.  

NBJP: Who’s your favorite non-jazz composer?

MD:  Here’s 4: Michael Jackson, Hank Williams, Marvin Gaye and Franz Liszt

NBJP: Is there an instrument other than the trombone that you would also like to play?

MD:  Due to my unchecked curiosity, I play most of them already.  Perhaps the drums next!

PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

MD:  I enjoyed reading music as a young kid, but it really “floored” me when I discovered that improvisation was the basis of jazz music.  I was probably 15 or so when I became hooked on music.