Fields of Study:
Trumpet

Degrees and Studies:
M.Mus., Rutgers University

Biographical Information:
Philadelphia born trumpeter, trombonist and composer Michael Philip Mossman has been active on the international scene since the age of 17. Mr. Mossman has performed and recorded with his own groups and with bands led by a virtual who's who of the music industry.

Michael’s new group, Metaphysical Mambos has completed its newest album, the Orisha Suite for the Connector label. The album features Ray Barretto, Paquito D’Rivera, Patato Valdez and many others. Earlier releases by Michael Mossman were Mama Soho, on the TCB label and Springdance, released on the Claves Jazz label. Both feature Michael’s much sought after work as composer/arranger in Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz. Michael currently publishes music with the Hal Leonard Corp. Three-two Music, Really Good Music, and his own Ryamos Music Co.

A National Merit Scholar, Michael graduated cum laude from Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory with degrees in Sociology/Anthropology as well as Orchestral Trumpet and Jazz composition. He studied with Vincent Cichowicz of the Chicago Symphony before moving to New York. Michael completed his Master's degree at Rutgers University and studied film scoring with Don Sebesky. Michael is also a graduate of Anthony Robbin's Mastery University.

Following stints as lead trumpet with the Machito Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Michael became the musical director of Blue Note Record's "young lion" group, Out of the Blue (OTB). He recorded four albums for Blue Note with this group before disbanding to join the Horace Silver Quintet.

In addition to Horace's group, Michael has toured and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, McKoy Tyner, Gerry Mulligan, Joe Zawinul, Slide Hampton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, George Gruntz, Bob Mintzer, Steve Turre, Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Tom Pierson, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the Charles Mingus Orchestra, Benny Carter, the Gil Evans Orchestra, and the Count Basie Orchestra.

Michael has also been a key performer in Latin Jazz since his days with Machito. Michael has performed and recorded with Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill, Ray Barretto, Daniel Ponce, Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Paquito

D'Rivera, Bebo Valdez and Michel Camilo (including a screen appearance in the motion picture "Two Much"). Michael is featured in the highly acclaimed documentary on contemporary Latin Jazz "Calle 54" as both performer and commentator. Michael served as staff arranger and trumpet soloist for the legendary innovator of salsa, Mario Bauza and his Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Michael has composed and arranged scores for Joe Henderson’s Grammy winning Big Band album, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, The Charles Mingus Orchestra,Tito Puente, Mario Bauza, Slide Hampton and the Jazz Masters Orchestra, Paquito D'Rivera and the United Nation Orchestra, the UMO Orchestra of Finland, the NDR Big Band of Hamburg, Germany, the Heineken Jazz Festival Orchestra in Puerto Rico, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Ray Barretto's New World Spirit. Michael has also arranged music for the film Bossa Nova.

Michael has performed classical and contemporary classical pieces with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Naumburg Orchestra, the Jupiter Symphony Orchestra, the New Jersey Composer's Guild, the Garden State Chamber Orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony, the National Symphony of the Dominican Republic, and the contemporary classical ensemble "Secret Cosmos." Michael has recorded the Daniel Schnyder Trumpet Sonata on the Koch Schwann label and has recorded two solo classical albums for MM1.

Michael has been active in music education throughout his career. Michael has held positions on the faculties of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Rutgers University, The New School for Social Research, Bloomfield College, Manhattanville College, and the New Jersey Summer Arts Institute.

Office:
NMB 250

Telephone:
(718) 997-3823

email address:
michael.mossman@qc.cuny.edu