Michael Lake

Michael Lake is a Grammy-nominated trombonist and passionate music educator known for his work with the alto trombone, an instrument he has exclusively played since college. He studied at Arizona State University under renowned jazz educators and developed a unique career path by focusing on this less common trombone variant. Over the years, Lake has become an advocate for ear-based jazz improvisation, founding Music Savvy, a platform dedicated to helping musicians develop their improvisational skills through intuitive learning rather than traditional theory alone. Beyond performance and teaching, he is also engaged in web design, artificial intelligence, and coding, using these skills to create innovative digital tools like Jazz Chat that support musicians worldwide.

Michael's approach to music emphasizes natural, confident, and joyful playing, and he has collaborated with many remarkable artists throughout his career. His album "Roads Less Traveled" highlights his adventurous musical spirit and has been praised for its fresh and inspired trombone work. With decades of experience both on stage and as an educator, Michael Lake continues to influence jazz improvisation and education, combining technology and artistry to help musicians unlock their full potential.