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, John Clayton, Herlin Riley, Dick Oatts, 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 thrills audiences around the world.
Mariel Bildsten’s band captivates its listeners by presenting a timeless style of jazz composition and improvisation. Through audience interaction and storytelling, Mariel and her band provide insights into this classic American music. Audiences are carried from past to present, rooted in the warm environment that she creates.
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 has released two critically-acclaimed albums: “Backbone” (2020) and Steppin' Out!" (2023).
Originally from Santa Barbara, California, Bildsten earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2015 from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. She studied under the tutelage of Reggie Workman, Vincent Gardner, Elliot Mason, Steve Turre, and Michael LeDonne.
A passionate and popular educator, Mariel leads improvisation clinics, workshops, brass masterclasses, and performances for small jazz combos and big bands in high school and college band programs as a guest artist.
She is a teaching artist for Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Mariel teaches private trombone lessons, both in-person and remotely on Zoom. She loves teaching students at all stages of life, and has worked with students from 8 to 88 years old.
Reach out to Mariel with any teaching-related inquiries!