The Fertile Soil Suite - I J C O
News
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My debut trio album "Reconnect" (SkyDeck Music) is now available! Download the album on Bandcamp, or get it right here on this site.
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The Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra released the "Fertile Soil Suite" in December of 2021. Download the album on Bandcamp and check out the full-length video on YouTube.
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The project is supported, in part, by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Gigs
Sunday, 8/7/22 ‧ 7pm
Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra in Davenport
Tuesday, 8/9/22 ‧ 7pm
"The Saints" Jazz Band in Overman Park, Cedar Falls
316 W 3rd St
Cedar Falls, IA
Saturday, 8/20/22 ‧ 7:30pm
Simon Harding & Mike Conrad at Bar Winslow in Cedar Falls
Friday, 8/26/22 ‧ 5:30-8pm
Mike Conrad Trio at Elm's Pub in Cedar Falls
NewAldaya Lifescapes
7511 University Avenue
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Sunday, 8/28/22 ‧ 7:30pm
Jazz in Seerley Park -
Simon Harding Quintet
Details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/5242770485790104
West Seerley Blvd. & Tremont St.
Cedar Falls, IA
Saturday, 9/3/22 ‧ 7pm
WCF Symphony - Orchestral Premiere of Mike Conrad's "Concerto for Jazz Trombone"
Details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/404851971320459/
River Place Plaza
100 E 2nd St
Cedar Falls, IA
Friday, 9/9/22 ‧ 7-9pm
Big Fun at the Bohemian
Christopher Merz - saxophone
Anthony Williams - trombone
Steve Grismore - guitar
Mike Conrad - keyboard
Danny Oline - bass
Tim Crumley - drums
1029 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
Thursday, 10/6/22 ‧ 7-10pm
"Jazz on the House" at Noce with Wayne Page
Wayne Page - saxophone
Mike Conrad - piano
Alex Pershounin - bass
John Kizilarmut - drums
1326 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA
Friday, 10/7/22 ‧ 8pm
Max Wellman Big Band at Noce
2 sets
1326 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA
Saturday, 10/8/22 ‧ 7pm
"Shorter Stories" - the music of Wayne Shorter, arranged by Chris Merz
Jon Ailabouni - trumpet
Chris Merz - saxophone, arranger
Anthony Williams - trombone
Bob Dunn - guitar
Mike Conrad - piano
Alex Pershounin - bass
Josh Hakanson - drums
1326 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA
Albums
Mike Conrad believes that the bonds formed through musical experiences can be incredibly strong and enduring. For his debut jazz trio album, Conrad wanted to reconnect with some of his favorite musicians from his past to bring eight of his original tunes to life. Chicago bassist Katie Ernst lends her lyrical, buoyant approach to the project. She and Conrad go way back, having met at a jazz camp in high school, and they both have a connection to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Over ten years after Indianapolis-based drummer Cassius Goens III released his album “Transition” with Conrad on piano, he rejoins Conrad to bring both fire and sensitivity to this 2022 release.
Like any great trio, the unique musical personality of each player shines through while simultaneously uniting to create a cohesive and exciting group sound.
The "Fertile Soil Suite" celebrates Iowa with original music inspired by unique aspects of the state, performed by Iowa's top jazz musicians.
Through this project, Mike Conrad and the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra want to show people in Iowa and beyond that they don’t always need to look to New York City or Chicago for beautiful, high-quality, creative music. There are amazing artists and musicians doing incredible things right here.
The All Angles Orchestra recorded a full-length album of amazing music featuring Alex Sipiagin.
The CD is available on the Outside In Music record label.
Check out our promo video and/or our music video!
Don't forget about the COLOSSUS album, released in 2013. This recording features original music by Mike Conrad, Dave Chisholm, and Levi Saelua, played by an amazing group of musicians who met at the Eastman School of Music.
Get it on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, or directly from this site.
