ABOUT MIKE CONRAD

Mike Conrad is a composer, improviser, and teacher from Iowa. He has been recognized for his arranging and composing with four ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards and seven DownBeat Awards, as well as awards and commissions from the Contemporary Music Academy in Beijing, the Bundesjazzorchester of Germany, the West Point Army Jazz Knights, and many other organizations. Conrad’s music has been performed all over the world, including a 2017 concert by the Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands, a 2014 Carnegie Hall Premiere, and a performance at the US Presidential Inauguration in 2013. Equally accomplished on both trombone and piano, Conrad truly loves collaborating with other musicians, and always brings his creativity and expressiveness to everything he does, from jazz trio projects to his newly-formed Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra. Dr. Conrad has two Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. He is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies & Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa and is in high demand as a clinician and guest director for jazz ensembles.