Michael Medrick

Interim Director of Jazz Studies

Biography

Michael Medrick is a trombonist, composer and arranger.  Trained by legendary jazz educator, Jerry Coker, Medrick has recorded with the Memphis Jazz Orchestra and the C3 Big Band.  He has performed with the Memphis Symphony, The Richardson Symphony, The Las Colinas Symphony, and with guest artists including Ray Charles, Joe Williams, Johnny Mathis, Diahann Carroll, Joel Gray, Randy Brecker, Kaye Ballard, and others. In 1991, Medrick toured with VenAmerica Ensemble, giving concerts of South American folk music and American jazz in Venezuela. With the Charleston Symphony, he toured with the 1994 U.S. production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. 

Recent commissions include big band works for trombonist Tony Baker, The University of Knoxville Studio Orchestra and The Knoxville Youth Jazz
Orchestra. Nashville-based trombone ensemble Slide Company performed several commissioned works at the 40^th Annual international Trombone Festival. Medrick’s original compositions have been recorded by the Memphis Jazz Orchestra and The Dallas Jazz Orchestra. His works are featured on the C3 Big Band’s 2019 recording, Straight Eighths. His extensive catalog includes works for jazz octet, jazz trombone ensembles, and for studio orchestra.