Micah Collier and Proximity

Saturday, September 27

TIME: 1:30pm-2:30pm

VENUE: Wagner stage. midway plaisance at south woodlawn ave.

Micah Collier

Micah Aléc Collier is a promising young bassist, teacher, and composer who has risen in Chicago’s jazz scene by participating in The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Ambassador program and the Ernest Dawkins Young Masters program. He has enjoyed mentorships with international musicians Vincent Davis, Michael Manson, and Junius Paul, all of whom helped shape his unique sound. 

Collier leads his band, the AlècTet, across the Chicago area, performing at venues including Dorians, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and The Promontory, in addition to playing at international festivals such the Belgrade Jazz Festival, Heidelberg Jazz Festival, Le Guess Who Festival, Worldwide Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists such as Marquis Hill, Keyon Harold, Makaya McCraven, Kendrick Scott, Aja Monet, Ambrose Akinmusurie, Dee Alexander, Kenneth Whalum, and Isaiah Collier. 

Collier’s love of traditional jazz and funky bass lines creates a powerful musical voyage. With the release of his debut album, Becoming, in 2023, he brought a new resonance to contemporary jazz, bridging the classic sounds of McCoy Tyner, the electric sounds of Marcus Miller, and Chicago house music to create his own jazz fusion sound. He expands the understanding of jazz to be inclusive of other genres and create music that feels good to the soul.

The musicians:

Will Mallard - trumpet

Irving Pierce - tenor saxophone

Micah Collier - upright and electric bass

Elio Wijaya - keyboards

Javier Quintana - percussion

Frank Morrison - drums