Return Trajectory

Few artists possess Dease's breadth of capabilities ... rounded, resonant voicings create a distinctive sonic depth ... Nothing feels ornamental or routine. The scope of preparatory work is unmistakable, and the outcome is remarkable.
PARIS MOVE

Since Michael Dease's big band held their two-year monthly residency in Greenwich Village back in 2011, a lot has happened. That laboratory, where risk, refinement, and reflection forged the band's artistic identity, was the seed that needed to be returned to. Today's band, however, is not a reconstruction of that past, but a reimagining, channeling fresh vitality into the music while honoring the architectural rigor and improvisational daring that defined those earlier years. At the core is a dynamic ensemble of rising voices from Michigan State University, whose artistry and individuality bring urgency to this collection of music, featuring compositions by Dease, Gregg Hill and the classics, "Cherokee" and "Little Dave," from Dease's major influence, J.J. Johnson. Return Trajectory is not a direct return, but a continuation of the arc, guided by experience and propelled by the next generation.

Production Info:

Produced by Michael Dease
Executive Producer: Gregg Hill
Recorded by Corey DeRushia at Troubadour Studios, Lansing, MI on April 25, 2025
(5) Recorded by Tiff Falls & Paxton Cruzen at The Alluvion, Traverse City, MI on January 10, 2026
Mixed & Mastered by Corey DeRushia at Troubadour Studios, Lansing, MI
(5) Assistant Mixing Engineer: Matthew White, Traverse City, MI
Front cover art by Tomoki Sassa
Cover design & layout by John Bishop