Cole Oswalt is a Michigan‑based saxophonist and bandleader known for his wide, warm tone and high‑energy presence. Fresh off the release of Mystic Resonance Pt. 1, he leads the project into a new phase of writing and performance while also contributing to Blou Reed’s new album House of Stairs. He co‑leads the funk band UMPH and performs regularly with Blou Reed, including upcoming appearances at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café, the Blue Llama Jazz Club, and The Alluvion. His playing has earned awards from Western Michigan Jazz Festival, MSU Essentially Ellington, and the Austin Jazz Workshop, and Jerome Jennings has described him as “Lil Sonny Rollins.” With a sound rooted in lineage and driven by modern momentum, Cole is quickly becoming a standout voice in the region.

BIO (THE LONG ONE)

Cole Oswalt is a rising saxophonist and bandleader shaping a new wave of jazz and groove‑driven improvisation in Michigan. Fresh off the release of his debut EP Mystic Resonance Pt. 1, and the first chapter of a larger compositional project, he’s quickly becoming a recognizable voice on the Michigan scene. His spring schedule reflects that momentum, with performances at The University of Michigan Jazz Showcase, a Dirty Dog Jazz Café residency, a Blue Llama Jazz Club headlining set, and a featured appearance at The Alluvion. Alongside his work as a leader, Cole is a core member of the fusion‑forward group Blou Reed, contributing to their new album House of Stairs.

As the leader of Mystic Resonance, Cole channels the lineage of his influences Sonny Rollins, Joshua Redman, Bob Reynolds, Sonny Stitt, and Michael Brecker into a sound that is unmistakably his own. His tone is wide, warm, and commanding, cutting through a band with clarity while still carrying a sense of safety and home. Juilliard drummer and educator Jerome Jennings once called him “Lil Sonny Rollins,” a nod to both his presence and his melodic instinct. Mystic Resonance represents the evolution of Cole’s writing and improvisational voice, shaped through years of performance, collaboration, and study.

Cole’s versatility extends beyond his own projects. As the co‑leader of UMPH, one of the University of Michigan’s most recognizable funk bands. He has played more than 50 shows across Ann Arbor, bringing a high‑energy James Brown and Motown aesthetic to festivals like Stoop Fest and the Michigan Jazz Festival as well as multiple University of Michigan showcases. His work with Blou Reed adds another dimension to his work, an electronic‑fusion sound that has taken him into collaborative performances, including a joint Mystic Resonance × Blou Reed show at Willis Sound that drew a 60‑person crowd for an album and live recording event.

A committed collaborator, Cole has worked closely with Willis Sound on recording, mixing, and promoting Mystic Resonance’s debut EP, and has partnered with mixing and mastering engineer Steve Capp on both his debut and upcoming releases. His recording credits include contributions to Madi Ringo’s People of the Earth and Sea, Blou Reed’s House of Stairs, and two forthcoming projects set for release in the coming months. He has also worked with MMBC on a Tiny Desk‑style session and collaborated with the Blue Llama Jazz Club on performance initiatives resulting in four shows in the span of three months.

Cole’s performance history includes appearances at the Blue Llama Jazz Club, Michigan Jazz Festival, The University of Michigan Jazz Showcase, Collage, and Carnegie Hall. His musicianship has been recognized with awards such as Outstanding Soloist at the Western Michigan Jazz Festival, Outstanding Soloist at MSU’s Essentially Ellington, and Top Player in Ensemble at the Austin Jazz Workshop.

With a sound rooted in tradition but driven by modern energy, Cole is carving out a space defined by power, warmth, and connection. Whether leading a band or elevating the music from within it, he brings a presence that audiences feel immediately and remember.