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Our Harvest

Mike Conrad

Label: Skydeck Music
Released: 2026
Duration: 01:01:00
Views: 39

Tracks

Big Bad Wolf; Small Town Vibes; I Hope You Don't Mind; Restore; Infinite Jest; Davenport Blues; Green Ladies; Imagining a Life Not Yet Lived; Fraught Hope Blues

Personnel

Additional Personnel / Information

Bryan Schumaker (saxophone); Claretta Larson (vibraphone); Bob Washut (composer); Jon Snell (composer); Gates Thomas (arranger)

Album Description

https://iowajazzcomposersorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/our-harvest

Since their formation in 2019, the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra has been highlighting the artistry of jazz composers and instrumentalists in the heartland. Bandleader Mike Conrad, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, believes that his home state is fertile ground for creativity in jazz composition and performance, and wants to show the world what has grown from the seeds that have been planted there.

Our Harvest begins with “Big Bad Wolf,” a high-energy commission Conrad wrote after winning the Sammy Nestico Award in 2023. Guitarist Dan Padley contributes “Small Town Vibes,” complete with some epic full ensemble moments. “I Hope You Don’t Mind” is a swinger written by one of Iowa’s most prolific and legendary jazz composers, Bob Washut. It’s a nice feature for trombonist Rich Medd with space for several other fine soloists to have their say. Pianist Jon Snell, who moved to New York City after growing up in Iowa and graduating from UNI, wrote a piece called “Restore” that just radiates hopefulness and joy. Christopher Merz borrows a title from David Foster Wallace for his moody piece, “Infinite Jest.” Then comes a tune by Iowa’s first jazz composer, Bix Beiderbecke. Showcasing the soulful trumpet work of Jon Ailabouni, “Davenport Blues” is expertly arranged here by Davenport resident Gates Thomas (music director for Gary Burton, arranger for Pat Metheny, arranger and pianist with the New Lionel Hampton Big Band). Christopher Merz’s tenor saxophone is a fountain of improvisational ideas on his composition “Green Ladies,” a nod to the statues that overlook the Cedar River in Waterloo, IA. “Imagining a Life Not Yet Lived” is the most expansive piece on the album, written by Mike Conrad for his daughter just before her birth. Finally, Our Harvest closes with a powerful work originally written by Jon Ailabouni on January 6, 2021 and later scored for big band by Mike Conrad. “Fraught Hope Blues” is a reflection on the idea that democracy is not a guarantee.

The album was produced by Mike Conrad and was recorded at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, IA on June 15th, 2024 and July 19th, 2026, with engineering, mixing and mastering by Travis Huisman. Our Harvest is available through SkyDeck Music and can be heard on Bandcamp and streaming platforms everywhere.

Album uploaded by Mike Conrad