Josef Deas Trio

Deas was born in Mannheim, Germany but grew up in Ann Arbor, MI with friends and musical collaborators Zach Saginaw (Shigeto) and Charles Tillinghast (Charles Trees). His musical education began with his mother, playing classical music and singing to him. She encouraged him to begin playing the upright bass and he immersed himself in a symphonic orchestral setting.

His relationship with Jazz was cultivated by mentor Vincent York, who worked with Deas and Saginaw in their high school years. York helped shape both of them into highly skilled, professional musicians. By the time he exited high school, Deas became one of the most capable and sought after bassists in the state, playing with Michigan greats like Marcus Belgrave, Gary Schunk, Vincent Chandler, Louis Smith, Sean Dobbins and many others.