Friday June 29:
4:30 PM United Jazz Ensemble
Every May, this collaborative high school ensemble comes together to prepare for the Jazz Festival. Directed by Rich Medd and Ryan Arp, the band is composed of students from Iowa City High School and West High School in Iowa City. For 19 years, this group has served as of one of signature elements of the Iowa City Jazz Festival’s commitment to education outreach. The deep immersion of students in jazz over the summer not only strengthens their musical growth, but builds a strong bond between the programs at the two schools. Their sound swings so hard that you can’t help but agree about the bright future of the music!
Artist Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhWN3xeMp1g
6:00 PM
Groove Theory
Groove Theory is a contemporary high-energy jazz ensemble from Iowa City. Cassius Goens III on Drums, Nathan Bogert on sax, Steven Wheeler on trumpet, Jon Snell on keys and Karl McComas-Reichl on bass. Showcasing each member’s writing talents, Groove Theory brings a fresh harmonic language to jazz, with works rooted in the tradition, but heavily influenced by Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Motown, and Soul music. Upon release of their first album entitled “Transition” (under the name of drummer Cassius Goens III), Groove Theory garnered high praise. Groove Theory’s second album “Ever Onward” (featuring the compositions of saxophonist Nathan Bogert) is soon to be released.
Band leader, Cassius Goens III is a graduate of Ball State University, who recently completed his Masters of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Iowa. Cassius performed with the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Band as well as jazz combos and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Besides performances in the Midwest and New York, he also has played at the Montreux, Vienne, and Purugia Jazz Festivals. Nathan Bogert, saxophonist, has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Thailand both as a soloist and with various ensembles. After studying with Dr. George Wolfe at Ball State University, he moved to Iowa to study under Dr. Kenneth Tse. In 2007, Nathan was selected as the first ever overall winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists competition. His passion for jazz has led him to share the stage with jazz artists Wayne Bergeron, Ted Nash, Marcus Printup, Andy Martin, Chuck Findley, Buddy DeFranco, Don Aliquo, and Denis DiBlasio.
Artist Websites: http://www.cassiusgoens.com; http://www.facebook.com/ic.groove.theory
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/cassiusgoensjazz
Artist Audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5314895/ICJF%20Audio%20Samples%20%2712.zip; http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cassiusgoens
8:00 PM
Kevin Mahogany with the Iowa Jazz Orchestra
In the early 1990’s, vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s arrival was a resurgence of vocal jazz because of his ways with bebop, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz. New Yorker critic, Whitney Balliett wrote, “New female jazz singers seem to appear regularly, but for a long time the space behind Joe Williams, Mel Tormé, and Ray Charles has been empty…there is little (Mahogany) cannot do…. He can sing the blues and he can sing ballads. He can scat. He can sing Monk and Gillespie and John Lewis and Miles Davis, and is a startling gospel singer who shouts, hums, bends notes in two, growls, and locks every syllable to five or six notes."
Born in 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri, Mahogany studied clarinet and piano, was tutored at the Charlie Parker Foundation and played baritone in the Eddie Baker New Breed Orchestra. His interest in vocals grew while studying music at Baker University, where he established a jazz choir. Since his arrival on the scene, he has received four nominations as #1 Jazz Singer of the Year (Down Beat Critics Poll). Newsweek described him as "the standout jazz vocalist of his generation.” Mahogany appeared in the Robert Altman film “Kansas City,” where he portrayed a character inspired by Big Joe Turner. More recently, Mahogany, along with Kurt Elling, Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy, toured extensively as “The Four Brothers.” His latest venture is the release of “Kevin Mahogany Big Band” in 2005, which found Mahogany #3 on the charts and the #1 male vocalist on jazz radio. His eleventh CD as a leader caused Billboard to declare that “Kevin Mahogany is unquestionably one of today’s most exciting and musically adept jazz vocalists.”
Artist Website: http://www.kevinmahogany.com
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HrjCElyRiQ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g0H5lu3bZg
Artist Audio: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kevin-mahogany-p100993/songs
Saturday June 30:
2:00 PM North Corridor Jazz All Stars 
The North Corridor All-Star Big Band is returning for its second performance at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Like the United Jazz Ensemble, this group is composed of some of the most talented high school jazz musicians of the corridor from Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls. Under the direction of Steve Shanley, the North Corridor All-Stars will present a musically diverse program featuring the many facets of Big Band repertoire. You’ll be proud, amazed and foot-tapping when you listen to the jazz talent from our schools in the region.
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYm6liY5OmQ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjGsjHXjgzE&feature=related
4:00 PM Marco Benevento Trio
For an exhilarating glimpse into the future, check-out Marco Benevento, who All Music Guide calls "...a musician so original that he can ultimately only be judged against his own standard." A melodically inventive musical adventurer who artfully employs pedals, amplifiers, circuit-bent toys and sundry effects around his acoustic piano set-up, Benevento has forged a fascinating repertoire of songs, including both wildly original compositions and renditions of Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd and My Morning Jacket. As the Los Angeles Times observes, "… no one sees the keyboard quite like Marco Benevento's genre-blind mashup of indie rock, jazz and skewed improvisation."
Benevento first came to national attention with the experimental electric rock influenced Benevento-Russo Duo, which brought a bracing jolt of improvisation to Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock and Bonnaroo. On his own, Benevento has collaborated with Matt Chamberlain, Trey Anastasio and Mark Eitzel, while also holding down the keys in Garage A Trois and Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Marco’s primary focus, however, is his trio with which he's released three critically acclaimed CD’s, leading to prestigious appearances, including Carnegie Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival and Celebrate Brooklyn. All About Jazz writes, "Shot through with strong tunes and catchy hooks, Benevento's music is instantly appealing like the best pop, urgently pre-coital like the best rock, and possesses real substance like the best jazz. It has character and unpredictability--and it is ridiculously good fun.” Benevento is currently touring in support of his latest LP, 'Between The Needles & Nightfall,' while working on material for his fourth studio album due later in 2012.
Artist Website: http://www.marcobenevento.com/
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G90W3WjCjag&feature=related; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2dYHCa-b38; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVk4mM3Prgk
6:00 PM Todd Sickafoose Tiny Resistors 
The unassuming bassist/composer, Todd Sickafoose has apparently been spending his spare time building a modern jazz master-group. Tiny Resistors takes elements of Miles Davis, Radiohead, Bill Frisell, and traditional New Orleans old-school jazz, and puts them through the blender of a smart NYC-based mini-orchestra/band. The band builds its grooves from the ground up, featuring multiple horn parts and guitar lines swirling around a tonal center, and over a calmly asymmetrical pulse. Sickafoose has been plying his trade as a sideman while also venturing out as a bandleader in the progressive jazz world. His writing favors a straightforward rhythmic thrust and deceptively simple melodies; the most intricate developments tend to occur in a hazy middle register, where layered chords agglomerate and shift. His serious training in jazz provides more than enough solo flashes to place his group on a progressive post-bop axis, but he’s also a rock musician, best known to many fans as a longtime confrere to Ani DiFranco.
Crucial to this balance is the rapport of a working band, cultivated in the eclectic Brooklyn music scene. This harmonically complex musical tapestry is completely, almost unnaturally void of traditional “virtuosic” performance, and yet the ensemble speaks a fluent virtuosity, as one. The leader augments his bass playing with work on keyboard and mallet-percussion instruments. His ensemble features electric guitars, some woodwinds, overdubbing keyboards, accordion, and mallet instruments to achieve a unique blend.
Artist Website: http://www.toddsickafoose.com/
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_GziXifBms; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3fHB87etOk
Artist Audio: http://www.myspace.com/toddsickafoose/music/albums/tiny-resistors-11877665
8:00 PM
Cyrille Aimée and The Surreal Band
Cyrille Aimée’s (pronounced Surreal M-A) vocalizing combines Dominican rhythm, the swing of the French gypsies and modern jazz. A winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition in 2007 and Runner-Up of the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition, Aimée has released four CD’s internationally, including “Cyrille Aimée and The Surreal Band,” and “Smile” with Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueriedo and most recently, “Cyrille Aimée & Friends at Smalls (featuring Roy Hargrove).” For her performance at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, she will perform with her Surreal Band consisting of sax, guitar, piano, bass and drums.
Cyrille is a performer who has showcased her talents at all of the major national and international venues with wildly enthusiastic audiences applauding every stylistic shift. Ben Ratliff of the New York Times has written, “One of those singers whom non-singing musicians call ‘a musician.’” Jonathan Schwartz has said, "She is superb and is one of the greatest scat singers...on the level of Ella. She is ELECTRIFYING! It's as simple as that."
Sunday July 1:
2:00 PM
Al Naylor Group
Al Naylor is the teaching artist in trumpet at Coe College in Cedar Rapid, Iowa, a member of the popular group, “Bob Dorr and the Blue Band,” and the trumpet soloist for the Rodney Pierson Big Band. His own jazz ensemble, the Al Naylor Group, has recently released its first album, “Legacy”, to positive reviews in over 75 markets nationwide, and was the KCCK CD of the Month in November. His other recording work includes Orquesta Alto Maiz (of which he was a founding member), the Blue Band, and the Joe Price’s “Rain or Shine,” which was awarded the international blues album of the year by the Independent Music Producers Association.
Al considers his two performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival among his professional highlights, as well as sharing the stage with two of the great rhythm and blues artists, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations. He has also played with many great jazz artists, including Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Dick Oatts, Bob Shepherd, Victor Mendoza, John Pizzarelli, Jerry Niewood, Ernie Watts, Paul McKee, Bill Frisell, Ray Anderson, Brian Lynch, John Fedchock, Conrad Herwig, Wycliffe Gordon, and Steve Turre.
Artist Website: www.alnaylormusic.com
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqbIjHi7cJU; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Ql_dInyFU
Artist Audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5314895/ICJF%20Audio%20Samples%20%2712.zip
4:00 PM Ariel Pocock Trio
Returning to Iowa following her brilliant performance at KCCK’s “Jazz Under The Stars” last year, pianist/vocalist Ariel Pocock has already earned national and international recognition for her work. At only 18 years old, she became the youngest artist ever signed by the prestigious recording company Verve, which will produce her first CD this year. Recognized by Downbeat Magazine, Ariel won in both jazz piano division and jazz voice. During the 2009 “Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival” at Lincoln Center, Ariel received the Outstanding Piano Solo award and the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation award. Other achievements include winning first place in the 2010 Kobe Jazz Vocalist Competition, earning Outstanding Piano Soloist at the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Festival, and opening for Sheryl Crow at the Seattle Opera House. Among many performances, she has played in Japan, at Lincoln Center, and at the Elkhart Jazz Festival. She is presently studying with Shelly Berg on a full scholarship at the University of Miami.
Artist Website: www.arielpocock.com
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unCce1Of-ZA&feature=player_embedded; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-BOCh41ejc&feature=related
Artist Audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5314895/ICJF%20Audio%20Samples%20%2712.zip
6:00 PM Heath Brothers Quartet
For over 60 years, the legendary Heath Brothers have been synonymous with great jazz. NEA Jazz Master tenor player, Jimmy Heath and his drummer, brother Tootie Heath, are coming to Iowa City to promote ‘Endurance’, their first CD since the passing of their beloved brother, legendary bassist Percy Heath.
Jimmy Heath has long been recognized as a brilliant saxophone instrumentalist and a magnificent composer and arrangerculminating in his being selected as a NEA Jazz Master. Jimmy is the middle brother of the legendary Heath Brothers, and is the father of Mtume. He has performed with nearly all the jazz greats of the last 50 years, from Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis. At the age of 21, he performed in the First International Jazz Festival in Paris with McGhee, sharing the stage with Coleman Hawkins, Slam Stewart, and Erroll Garner. One of Heath’s earliest big bands (1947-1948) in Philadelphia included John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Specs Wright, Cal Massey, Johnny Coles, Ray Bryant, and Nelson Boyd. Heath has performed on more than 100 record albums including seven with The Heath Brothers and twelve as a leader. Jimmy also has written more than 125 compositions, many of which have become jazz standards and have been recorded by other artists. He just concluded eleven years as Professor of Music at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, but maintains an extensive performance schedule and continues to conduct workshops and clinics throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. His contribution to jazz as well as his musicianship prompted the following tribute from Dizzy Gillespie: “All I can say is, if you know Jimmy Heath, you know Bop.”
Albert “Tootie” Heath is the youngest of the Heath brothers and drummer for the quartet, Tootie is a recipient of Yale University's Duke Ellington Fellowship Medal, was the drummer on John Coltrane’s first recording as a leader and the last drummer for the Modern Jazz Quartet. Tootie has played and recorded with Don Cherry, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Lester Young, Cedar Walton and Ben Webster. He was a featured performer in the recent documentary “Between a Smile and a Tear,” by the filmmaker and pianist Niels Lan Doky, which revisited the glory years of Copenhagen's famed Club Montmartre where Tootie was the house drummer. He is also the leader of the Whole Drum Truth ensemble, which performs innovative all-percussion concerts with a rotating roster of the foremost jazz drummers.
Artist Website: www.jimmyheath.com
Artist Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnT5aHcuVPE&feature=related; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-EIM-lU5xQ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1tJHqwC6iw&feature=relmfu
Artist Audio: http://jazzlegacyproductions.com/heath_pages/heathbrothers.html
8:00 PM Mumbo Jumbo - A Tribute to Paul Motian: featuring Matt Wilson, Chris Cheek, Mat Maneri, Steve Cardenas, and Thomas Morgan
Paul Motian (1931-2011)
“Mumbo jumbo” was a phrase drummer/composer/bandleader Paul Motian was very fond of using. Motian died from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disorder, early in the morning on November 22, 2011 in New York City. He was 80 years old.
In remembrance of the life and accomplishments of one of the great jazz drummers, the Iowa City Jazz Festival is proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Paul Motian’s Electric Bebop Band performance on our stage by bringing back some of his colleagues. Matt Wilson will take the drum chair and lead the group. Matt’s creative, whimsical, energetic style pays homage to what is arguably Motian’s greatest contribution to jazz music, drumming which went beyond time-keeping and served a melodic purpose. Wilson is joined by former members of the Electric Bebop Band guitarist Steve Cardenas, saxophonist Chris Cheek, and violinist Mat Maneri. Thomas Morgan also joins them on bass.
Paul Motian was revered for his drumming in the classic Bill Evans’ piano trio of the 1950s-1960s, and for his work with Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett, as well as his trio. His energy, artistry and mentorship to future generations of musicians is perhaps best represented by his Electric Bebop Band, which pitted 2 guitars versus 2 saxophones, backed by drums and bass, and often featured two soloists at the same time and unique instruments such as the violin.
Matt Wilson - New York based drummer and Grammy nominee Matt Wilson is one of today’s most celebrated jazz artists. He is universally recognized for his musical and melodic drumming style as well as being a gifted composer, bandleader, producer, and teaching artist.
Chris Cheek - Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Chris Cheek, saxophonist, has played and recorded with a number of different groups including Paul Motian's "Electric Bebop Band," "The Bloomdaddies", Charlie Haden's "Liberation Music Orchestra", The Brian Blade Fellowship, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Luciana Souza, David Berkman, and Guillermo Klein's "Los Guachos". Cheek has appeared on more than 60 albums as a sideman and 4 albums as a leader on Fresh Sound Records, most recently "Blues Cruise", featuring pianist, Brad Mehldau.
Mat Maneri - Mat Maneri, born in Brooklyn, New York, is an American composer, improviser and jazz violin and viola player. In 2006, Maneri was nominated for a Grammy award in the category "Best Alternative Music Album" for the CD “Pentagon.” Besides his work with Motian, Mat has also performed with Ed Schuller, John Medeski, Roy Campbell, Tomasz Stanko, Robin Williamson, Drew Gress, Tony Malaby, Ben Monder, Barre Phillips, Joëlle Léandre, Marilyn Crispell, Craig Taborn, Ethan Iverson, David King, Evan Parker and many others.
Steve Cardenas - Guitarist Steve Cardenas, a native of Kansas City, is highly involved in the jazz community in New York. An integral member of the Paul Motian Septet, as well as the Electric Bebop Band that visited the Iowa City Jazz Festival in 2002, currently he is a member of the Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, the Ben Allison Band and the Steve Swallow Quintet.
Thomas Morgan - Bassist, Thomas Morgan studied at the Manhattan School of Music and has recorded and played concerts in New York and abroad with such artists as David Binney, Steve Coleman, Joey Baron, Masabumi Kikuchi, Terumasa Hino, Dan Weiss, Craig Taborn, Tyshawn Sorey, Donny McCaslin, Brad Shepik, Steve Cardenas, Kenny Wollesen, Gerald Cleaver, Adam Rogers, and Kenny Werner.
Artist Videos:
Electric Bebop Band http://youtu.be/lgDjiVv6NEg; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsowWzQIE9g
Paul Motian: Bill Evans Trio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH-tzIaR_LA&feature=related
Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, and Bill Frisell Trio http://youtu.be/P3fhkGup-Hc
Matt Wilson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ow_CeiFOB0; http://youtu.be/Zdnf5GJg-ao; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7tz0MPz2QE
SIDE STAGES
Youth Stage sponsored by West Music
Friday Evening, 5:30 to 6:00 pm & 7:30 to 8:00 pm
Local Stage: Mutiny in the Parlor
Mutiny in the Parlor plays hot jazz, swing and parlor tunes from the 1910s-1940s. It's the music your dearly departed Great Grandmother listened to. Mutiny loves to play for swing dancers, toe-tappers, and folks who aren't afraid of a little banjo in their life. Mutiny in the Parlor specializes in melodies, harmonies and syncopated rhythms. For songs lovely, sentimental and just a little bit naughty, tap out a telegraph to Mutiny in the Parlor. The group consists of Chris Clark - saxophone, accordion, and vocals; Ron Hillis - guitar, banjo, cornet, vocals; Monica Brasile - washboard, ukulele, vocals; and Dave Hanson on the big bass fiddle.
College Stage: Laranja
Laranja is a group of enthusiastic musicians who came together to create and perform original, exciting new music. Their original sound is a blend of jazz (both new and old), progressive rock, and world music. The band consists of Dan Padley on guitar, Ryan Smith on saxophones, Michael Jarvey on keyboards, Blake Shaw on bass, and John Caudy on drums.
Youth Stage: Silver Swing Band
Silver Swing is a “subset” of the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center’s New Horizons Band. The Silver Swing includes 18 – 20 musicians who enjoy playing the music from the 30s and 40s. The Iowa City New Horizons Band is one of about 170 bands worldwide for “chronologically gifted” adults. Nicolas Coffman, director of the Silver Swing, is a musician and educator who has lived in Iowa City for much of his life. Nicholas graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in String Bass performance and K-12 Music Education.
Saturday Daytime, 1:30-2:00pm & 3:30-4:00 pm
Local Stage: Johnny Kilowatt
This band is fronted by Jon Klinowitz, guitar and vocals, who has been playing modern electric blues in the Iowa City music scene for more than two decades and was a founding member of the Blues Instigators. He's since played with other groups, including 2007 Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Patrick Hazell, and the band, Mother Blues. Other members of Johnny Killowatt are Bill Peterson on keyboards, John Stefaniak, on bass, and Paul Kresowik on drums.
College Stage: Chasing Shade
Griffen Harris, Tim Cigrand and Elliott Beenk are Chasing Shade, an indie-beach-blues trio based in Iowa City, IA. Following the release of their debut album "pen to paper," Chasing Shade has quickly established itself in the Midwest music scene. With three multi-instrumentalists, they bring an addictive energy and visible emotion to their live shows. They also believe in supporting their community, shown by their greening initiatives at Camp Euforia 2011, a local music festival, and by organizing The University of Iowa’s Earth Month Festival featuring Mason Jennings.Youth Stage: TBA
Saturday Evening, 5:30-6:00pm & 7:30-8:00pm
Local Stage: Funk Stop
This 11-member ensemble performs music in the funk/Soul/R&B styles. The band plays tunes from such great groups as Kool & the Gang, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Tower of Power. Funk Stop distinguishes itself with its phenomenal vocals and rhythm section, plus the hottest horn section around. The members of the group are professional music educators who bring great funky dance music to the Midwest. Their high-energy show motivates people of all ages to jump on the dance floor and learn the true meaning of funk. The members are: Marcus Perkins and Kevin Sims, vocals, Steve Shanley on Keyboards, John Reasoner on guitar, John Hall on bass, Ryan Hoaglin on drums, Jeff Schafer on bari sax, Peter Hart on tenor sax, Bob Mansn on trombone, and Steve King and Jason Meyers on trumpets.College Stage: Lick It Ticket
College Stage: Lick It Ticket
Lick it Ticket is a richly diverse, intelligent, talented and extremely engaging band. Steeped in the jam band and progressive rock tradition, and informed with a jazz sensibility, their well-designed compositions and grooves are infectiously danceable, while also being interesting and compelling. Hailing from Iowa, Lick it Ticket is composed of past and current students of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Even though they have been playing together for a little over a year, their sound is anything but adolescent. Together, the band has accumulated over 15 years of collegiate musical studies. They have also had many performing experiences in touring bands and UNI’s Jazz program. As for the members of the group, Ryan Pearson sings and wails on the guitar, Robert Espe plays the sax without facial hair, Andrew Thoreen dances while thumping the bass, and Collin Braley plays the beats with appreciative nods.
Youth Stage: Blake Manternach Group
This group is led by IC West High student, Blake Manternach and features Emiliano Lasansky on bass (West High Grad), Curtis Boysen on drums (West High grad), and Nate Sparks trumpet (SE Polk High school).
Sunday Daytime, 1:30-2:00pm & 3:30-4:00pm
Local Stage: The Summit Band
Summit is a quartet performing music in the jazz/funk/fusion genre and tunes from jazz standards, to new jazz artists to originals. John Reasoner, guitar hails from Washington, DC, but attended the University of Iowa where he studied music and art. For a decade, John toured the country with various groups. He founded the School House Studios. Peter Hart, tenor sax, attended the Eastman School of Music, played for three years on the S/S Norway Luxury cruise ship, and played professionally with Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Supremes, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Carla Bley, Buddy DeFranco, and Natalie Cole, among others. John Hall, bassist, toured extensively with the rock power trio, Silverwing, throughout the 1980’s, did session work in Macon Georgia before joining the Memphis Symphony and obtaining a doctorate in bass performance. Scooter Vinebaugh, percussion, has played professionally for fifteen years. He has performed with the Black Crowes, Eric Burdon, Maceo Parker, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Charlie Hunter, War and the Neville Brothers. He also has done soundwork for several motion pictures.
College Stage: The Healers
The Healers are a band that plays original improvised music. They formed in 2010 after meeting each other at the University of Northern Iowa. In various lineups, the band has performed across the state of Iowa. "Wherever you may be, we intend to take you there."
Youth Stage: North Scott High School
North Scott High School has sent its most talented jazz players to the Iowa City Jazz Festival for a number of years. Listen to the swinging styles of these young improvisors.
Sunday Evening, 5:30-6:00pm & 7:30-8:00pm
Local Stage: Smith Wagor Quartet
This band features, Pat Smith, Richard Wagor, Cassius Goens III and Peter Hart. Smith grew up in Chicago playing blues, attended Coe College and graduated from Cornell College. He led music groups in California including the Penguin Jazz Quartet and Nossa Bossa, recording two CDs with the PJQ. He has a new CD out called “Iowa Duets with Richard Wagor.” Mr. Wagor is earning his BA in music from the University of Iowa and a MM from Manhattan School of Music. He has also performed in a wide variety of professional settings including as a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Dubuque Symphony. Peter Hart has a masters degree in saxophone from the Eastman School of Music. He teaches saxophone for the Symphony School and repairs band instrument for West Music. He has played professionally with T.S. Monk, The Temptations, Lional Hampton,The Supremes, Roberta Flack, Clark Terry, Lois Belson and many touring shows. Cassius Goens III is a graduate of Ball State University, and recently completed his Masters of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Iowa. Cassius performed with the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Band as well as jazz combos and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Currently he is freelancing, while also performing his original compositions with Groove Theory, the Cassius Goens Trio, Organic Underground, the Steve Grismore Quartet, and the indie/folk rock artist, Cory Hill.
About Smith and Wagor’s “Iowa Duets,” Diane Nollen has written: “The beauty of the standards is that once the melody is stated, Smith and Wagor veer off into the most inventive direction, shaking up the meters, flavors and feels.” http://easterniowalife.com/2012/01/19/cd-review-smith-wagor-put-jazz-spin-on-classics-in-iowa-duets/
College Stage: Brian Crew Quintet
This group represents players from the University of Northern Iowa, with Nolan Schroeder on tenor sax, Brian Crew on trombone, Jon Snell on piano, Joel Conrad on bass and Chris Jensen on drums.
Youth Stage: Kentucky Skunk Rupture
Kentucky Skunk Rupture is a jazz group featuring musicians from Cedar Rapids Washington High School.
Jam Session Bands at The Mill, sponsored by Hancher
Friday: Groove Theory
Saturday: Kresowik/Killowat Jazz/Blues Jam
Sunday: Smith/Wagor Quartet