Updated: January 31, 2024
Born: May 20, 1994
Originally from Detroit, Michael Hudson-Casanova is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser, and educator quickly becoming a staple in the Chicago jazz and creative music scene. His debut album as a leader, Echoes of Thought (2021), has been praised as “…an exceptional record by a killer band,” by All About Jazz. His music blends traditional and contemporary jazz concepts, and always leaves plenty of room for dynamic improvisation with carefully chosen bandmates.
Hudson-Casanova has received awards, scholarships, and grants for his music, including individual artist grants from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council Agency to record and produce his second album, Animus. He also received the Ramon Zupko grant in 2015 for the creation of an interdisciplinary work of original music and dance, and the Vice Provost for the Arts grant in 2018 and 2019 to record music by Crosscurrents Ensemble. In October of 2022, he was featured as a soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for their production of “Charlie Parker: With Strings.”
Hudson-Casanova has appeared at venues across the United States as a leader and a sideman, including Chris’ Jazz Cafe, South Jazz Kitchen, Cliff Bell’s, Silvana, The Green Mill, Cafe CODA, Elastic Arts, and more. He has appeared on his colleagues’ records as a sideman, most notably Elliot Bild’s ISMS (2020).
As an educator, Hudson-Casanova has maintained a studio of saxophone, flute, and clarinet players of all ages for over ten years. He believes music is for everyone, and works to help his students maintain a positive relationship with music. He teaches for institutions like Common Time Music School and Ravinia Sistema.
Awards
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Individual Artist Grant
Illinois Arts Council Agency Individual Artist Program Grant
Tags
All About Jazz Articles
Michael Hudson-Casanova: Animus
by Hrayr Attarian
On his second release as a leader, the captivating Animus, saxophonist Michael Hudson-Casanova leads his trio on a cohesive set of eight of his originals. The contemplative, moving music is complex and nuanced, inventive and accessible. Hudson-Casanova, who has already demonstrated his superb compositional skills on his debut, goes further on the current album, creating a unique blend of a haunting ambience and provocative substance. Guitarist Erik Skov begins the title track with reverberating vamps which bounce off ...
read moreMichael Hudson-Casanova: Echoes of Thought
by Richard J Salvucci
Art Blakey would always open with a theme. Over the years, the theme changed, just as did Bu and his musicians. But the context was always the same. “Pay attention, y'all. This is Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers." If a listener is old enough to remember that moment, and willing to make due allowance for a Philly band “in the tradition," well, there you are. “Spin the Context" starts us. “The Old Days, Whenever They Were," is right on ...
read moreElliot Bild & the Zone: ISMS
by Nicholas F. Mondello
A textural and improvisational tour de force from Elliot Bild and the Zone, ISMS, recorded live, consists of ten selections—nine of which are Bild originals—and offers up an evening of intelligent and enlightening jazz. “Army of Aliens (Your Thoughts)" opens the set and is a classic hard-bop burner with Bild and saxophonist Hudson-Casanova lifting off the launch pad. “Lines and Dots" is a tasty bossa with an angular melodic head reminiscent of Oliver Nelson's symmetrical melodic patterns.
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...or were mentioned in an All About Jazz article.
Chicago-Based Saxphonist Michael Hudson-Casanova Releases 'Animus'
Source:
Michael Hudson-Casanova
Saxophonist Michael Hudson-Casanova is releasing his sophomore album with his first Chicago-based band on March 2, 2023. The release show will take place at Hungry Brain Chicago (2319 W. Belmont Ave) on March 3rd. Animus will be available on digital, CD, and limited edition vinyl formats. Hudson-Casanova composed an entirely new book of music for his trio with drummer Gustavo Cortiñas and guitarist Erik Skov. Both of these Chicago jazz veterans have their own unique projects and bring a large ...
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“…a mature composer, a democratic bandleader… as well as an innovative improviser.” - All About Jazz
Primary Instrument
Saxophone
Location
Chicago
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Edward Simon
piano
Sonny Rollins
saxophone
Wayne Shorter
saxophone
David Binney
saxophone, alto
John Coltrane
saxophone
Joe Henderson
saxophone
Lee Konitz
saxophone, alto
