Downbeat Magazine calls New York City-based jazz trombonist Mariel Bildsten “irrepressibly spontaneous.” Mariel has earned global distinction through her performances with Jon Batiste, Roy Hargrove, Jennifer Hudson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the Mingus Big Band at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival and the Apollo Theater. Her lyrical and swinging style has thrilled audiences around the world.

Mariel Bildsten’s band has performed internationally to sold out crowds at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Perth International Jazz Festival in Australia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many other venues. She released two critically-acclaimed albums: “Backbone” (2020) and Steppin' Out!" (2023).

Originally from Santa Barbara, California, Bildsten earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. She studied under the tutelage of with the of Reggie Workman, Vincent Gardner, Elliot Mason, Steve Turre, and Michael LeDonne.