Mike Conrad Trio

Join us for an extraordinary evening of jazz as Sound Conservatory welcomes The Mike Conrad Trio, led by award-winning composer, pianist, and Quad City native Mike Conrad. Currently serving as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, Conrad brings his unique musical vision to life in celebration of the trio’s second album, Pretzel Letters.

Conrad’s compositions have garnered critical acclaim, earning him four ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, a SONIC Award from the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, and the 2023 Sammy Nestico Award, among other honors. Pretzel Letters showcases pieces inspired by family ties and formative childhood memories growing up in Iowa. As a pianist, Conrad’s musical reach spans far and wide, performing regionally with ensembles such as Chris Merz’s Shorter Stories, the Jon Ailabouni Quintet, Jackson Churchill’s Good Question, and the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, an ensemble he founded in 2019.

The trio’s rhythm section features two of the most dynamic and sought-after musicians on the contemporary jazz scene. On bass and vocals is Katie Ernst, a Chicago-based musician who is known for her work with Iron & Wine’s Light Verse Tour, Shadowlands with John Raymond & S. Carey, and her role as bandleader of Twin Talk. Ernst is a highly regarded collaborator within Chicago’s jazz and improvised music circles, bringing a distinct energy and creativity to every performance.

On drums, the trio is anchored by Cassius Goens III, a versatile and seasoned drummer from Indianapolis. Goens’s international career has taken him to festivals and stages across the Midwest, New York, Brazil, and Europe, including appearances at the Montreux, Vienne, and Perugia Jazz Festivals. His rhythmic agility and deep musicality add a dynamic and propulsive force to the trio’s sound.

The Mike Conrad Trio’s vibrant performances have been met with acclaim across the Midwest, including a memorable appearance at the 2022 Iowa City Jazz Festival. In 2023, the group’s continued artistic growth was supported by a Jazz Road Tours grant. Each member of the trio brings their unique musical personality to the forefront, resulting in a collective sound that is both cohesive and exhilarating. Conrad’s compositions invite moments of improvisation, interaction, and boundless creative expression, making every performance a fresh and engaging experience.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear The Mike Conrad Trio live at Sound Conservatory, where new musical memories are sure to be made.

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