Michael Benge comes from an extremely diverse background of professional music making and music educational experiences. Michael serves as an on-going collaborator with the world renowned Dallas Brass. While lead trombonist and arranger for the B-Side Players, Michael performed extensively throughout the United States and Mexico. He has also founded and directed multiple performance and musical educational groups.
Michael directs Trece De La Suerte, a bi-national 13-piece salsa band, along with the San Diego Latin Jazz Collective, which also performs in Latin America and the U.K. Michael works as a studio musician in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Tijuana, and Ensenada areas. He has been featured on several albums and recorded commercials for many businesses, such as Olive Garden, Pizza Hut, Cannon, Nikon, and the Del Mar Race Track. He has performed with Latin greats Gilberto Santa Rosa, Elvis Crespo, and Eddie Santiago. Michael is also a member of ASCAP.
Michael studied trombone performance and music education at San Diego State University and is heavily involved in music education. Michael is the Associate Director of Instrumental Music at Helix Charter High School and serves as chair of honor bands and orchestras for the Grossmont Union High School District’s board of band directors. Over the years, he has worked with several great programs such as Mt. Carmel High School, Bernardo Heights Middle School, and Alternative Percussion Ensemble.
