Summer of the Arts

The MJ Group
2024-07-05 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Embark on a musical odyssey with The MJ Group, fronted by the dynamic duo Marvin Truong and Jerome Gillespie II. Gillespie has performed at The White House and recorded at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder’s Studio with the late Rudy Van Gelder himself during his high school years, and has played alongside Benny Green, Frank Lacy, Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, Antonio Hart, Dayna Stevens, Reggie Workman and Terance Blanchard to name a few. Truong draws inspiration from mentors like Damani Phillips, Marcus Strickland, Alex Hahn, William Menefield, and Curtis Taylor, crafting a unique sound that pushes the saxophone’s boundaries. His global recognition includes being selected as a rising young artist for the IASJ Conference, studying under jazz luminaries at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland where he studied under Dave Liebman, Tim Hagans, Aaron Goldberg, and Anders Jormin. Their enduring friendship, cultivated at the University of Iowa, brings them back together for a much-anticipated musical reunion.

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Artist Booths and Fun Stops
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-06 11:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-07 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-04 17:00 - 20:30 | Clinton St., 10 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Check out the artist booths and Fun Stops on Clinton Street, as you go to and from the Main and Side stages! The artists feature a variety of items, and local organizations provide a range of activities at Fun Stops.

Culinary Delights and Beverage Garden
2024-07-05 17:00 - 22:00, 2024-07-06 11:30 - 22:00, 2024-07-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Iowa Avenue, 105 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Grab food from one (or more) of many vendors, then stop by the Beverage Garden!
Parents/Guardians: please note that you can bring minors into the Beverage Garden.
Last call in the Beverage Garden: 30 minutes before closing
Sales stop in the Beverage Garden: 15 minutes before closing

Fareed Haque and His Funk Brothers
2024-07-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation.
Born in 1963 to a Pakistani father and Chilean mother, Fareed’s extensive travels and especially long stays in Spain, France, Iran, Pakistan, and Chile exposed Haque to different kinds of music from a very early age. While this natural eclecticism has become a hallmark of Haque’s music, it was repeated visits to Von Freeman’s Chicago jam sessions that gave Haque a grounding in the Chicago blues and jazz traditions.

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Web: https://fareed.com/about/
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The Wayne Page Quartet
2024-07-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: The Wayne Page Quartet performs regularly at the NOCE Jazz Cabaret as well as several other Jazz Venues in Des Moines. Featured performers will be the following: Dr. Michael Conrad-Piano, Steve Charlson-Bass and Jerome Gillespie the II-Drums. Page was inducted into the CJC Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame 2019.
As a performing musician he is currently busy performing with his quartet- The Jazz Page, The Des Moines Big Band, Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, Max Wellman, The Des Moines Symphony, Fred Gazzo, Freestyle, The Gaylin Sudik Orchestra and Dan Hartzer. Page has also been a back- up musician with the likes of: Michael McDonald, Harry Connick Jr., Sheena Easton, the Temptations, Lou Christie, Leslie Gore, B.J. Thomas.

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Ingrid Jensen and the Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra
2024-07-05 20:00 - 21:30 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn

About: Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1989, Jensen was offered a position at the prestigious Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria. In the 1990s, she recorded three highly acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label, becoming one of the most in demand trumpet players on the global jazz scene.

Settling in New York City, she joined the innovative jazz orchestras of Maria Schneider (1994-2012) and Darcy James Argue (2002-present). She has performed with a multigenerational cast of jazz legends ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding. Jensen has also performed alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live and recorded with Canadian pop icon Sarah McLachlan. Jensen is prominently featured on the Grammy Award winning Mosaic Project, led by drummer Terri-Lyne Carrington.

A dedicated jazz educator, Jensen has resided on the jazz trumpet faculties at the University of Michigan, Peabody Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music. She also served on the jazz faculty, teaching composition and arranging at Purchase College and the New School for Jazz in NYC.

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Web: https://ingridjensen.com/
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About: Since 2017, the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra has met to perform across the state of Iowa for the purpose of showcasing the artistry of women jazz musicians and inspiring the next generation. Founded by trumpeter Toni LeFebvre when she was a graduate student in Music Education at the University of Iowa, IWJO has had quite a special journey of development.

Some of the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra’s most notable events include performances at the Iowa Jazz Championships (Ames, 2019), University of Iowa Trumpet Festival (Iowa City, 2022), KCCK’s “Jazz Under the Stars” (Cedar Rapids, 2022), and Orchestra Iowa’s “Holiday Spectacular” (Cedar Rapids, 2023).

For more information about the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, including booking inquiries, please visit www.iowajazzwomen.com or email iowawomensjazzorchestra@gmail.com.

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Web: https://www.iowajazzwomen.com/
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City of Iowa City Fireworks
2024-07-05 21:30 - 22:00 | Old Capitol Museum, 21 N. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52242, United States
After the music ends on Friday night, stick around the Pentacrest for fireworks, courtesy of the City of Iowa City. Just look up and over the Old Capitol!

Jam Session with the Blake Shaw Quartet
2024-07-05 22:00 - 23:00, 2024-07-06 21:30 - 22:30 | Wilder, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Just because the Jazz Fest ends for the night doesn’t mean there’s not more music! Head to Wilder at The Graduate Hotel to hear the sounds of Blake Shaw and one his many bands. In any way, shape, or form the band takes, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

United Jazz Ensemble
2024-07-06 11:30 - 12:10 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by West Music

About: Every Summer, this collaborative high school jazz combo comes together to prepare for their performance on the main stage at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Directed by Aaron Ottmar, Ryan Arp, and Brian Zeglis, the band is comprised of students from City, Liberty, and West high schools from the Iowa City Community School District. For 25+ years, this group has served as one of the signature elements of the Jazz Festival’s commitment to jazz education in the public school setting. The opportunity for these students to perform at the Jazz Festival not only deepens their growth as musicians but also fosters wonderful collaboration between all three high school jazz programs.

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North Corridor All Stars
2024-07-06 12:15 - 12:55 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by West Music

About: The North Corridor All-Star is made up of musicians from high schools along the north I-380 corridor and is under the direction of Coe College music professor, Steve Shanley. Individuals in this group have been recognized as members or alternates of the prestigious Iowa All-State Jazz Band, and all are pursuing private jazz studies. They are honored to be a part of this year’s festival and look forward to performing a mix of original compositions and standards.

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Kiersten Conway Trio
2024-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Kiersten Conway is a dynamic songwriter, contemporary jazz vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist known for her inventive interpretations of jazz standards and compelling original compositions. A native of Iowa City, she has performed at top venues including Noce Jazz Club and Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines, and has been featured at the Iowa City Jazz Festival.
In 2024, Kiersten brought her artistry to the Rochester International Jazz Festival, sharing the stage with Laila Biali, and also performed at the prestigious Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. A three-time recipient of the DownBeat Student Music Awards (2023–2025), she was recognized as a Vocal Jazz Soloist, for her original composition “Black-Eyed Susan,” and as an Outstanding Soloist in a Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

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Web: https://www.kierstenconway.com/
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The Blake Shaw BIG(ish) Band
2024-07-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
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Jackson Churchill and Good Question
2024-07-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Jackson Churchill currently serves as a Band Director at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. He is also a Teaching Artist of Jazz Trombone at Drake University. Jackson has been a finalist in numerous competitions facilitated by the International Trombone Association, American Trombone Workshop, and Jazz Trombone Day. His performance credits include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Christian McBride’s JAS Academy Big Band, and the Broadway tour of “The Wiz.” Jackson completed his master’s degree at the University of North Texas, where he studied with acclaimed artist Nick Finzer and played in the One O’Clock Lab Band. Before that, Jackson graduated summa cum laude from Luther College, where he was a Theodore Presser Music Scholar. He is joined on stage by Good Question, his band that includes Jon Ailabouni, Mike Conrad, Steven Heffner, and Andrew Gjersvik.

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Emiliano Lasansky
2024-07-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa and currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, Emiliano currently maintains a busy schedule as a performer across the West Coast and beyond. Recent highlights include a 2024 Ravinia Steans Music Institute Bridges Competition – David Baker Prize and 2023 ASCAP Founda/on – Herb Alpert composition award, and a master’s degree from the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA (formerly the Thelonious Monk Institute).

After he finished his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, Emiliano relocated to the New York City area to pursue a performance career. In 2019 Emiliano was awarded third prize in the Scott LaFaro Bass Competition at the International Society of Bassists conference.

In 2020 he was selected by Herbie Hancock, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Herb Alpert to join the 13th class of the Herbie Hancock Institute, completing the program in 2023. Emiliano’s debut album The Optimist (Outside In Music Label) was release in June, 2024. Emiliano currently maintains a busy schedule leading his quartet in performances across the country. Additionally, he is an in-demand side-person, composer, arranger, producer, and educator.

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Tobi Crawford Trio
2024-07-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Tobi Crawford is a highly sought-after vocalist, pianist, arranger and educator from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Tobi taught at the high school level in Canada for 10 years, teaching choirs, bands and music theory before moving to Shanghai, China where she was the Fine Arts Department head and Director of Music at Sino-Canada High School for 5 years. Tobi recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance from the esteemed University of North Texas where she served as a teaching fellow. Tobi is currently the Co-Director of Music at the School for Music Vocations, teaching Theory, Arranging, Freshman and Sophomore Jazz Piano, while directing First Take and Chamber Singers

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Matt Wilson's Good Trouble
2024-07-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Brock Family Music

About: Matt Wilson has released thirteen albums as a leader, appeared on more than 400 others as a sideman and has played with an impressive array of some of the most legendary names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Joanne Brackeen and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few.
Wilson was named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and his album, Honey And Salt (Music Inspired by the Poetry of Carl Sandburg), won the JJA’s Album of the Year Award. That recording and his previous, Beginning of a Memory, accomplished the rare feat of an artist receiving consecutive 5-star (masterpiece) reviews from DownBeat magazine.
Wilson’s commitment to jazz goes far beyond his estimable skills as a drummer and bandleader. Also, a renowned educator, he is on a tireless mission to foster a lively and deep connection between music and people, whether they be playing or listening to it.

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Ritmo-Quinto
2024-07-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: James Dreier’s Ritmocano project has now evolved into a smaller group with a new name – Ritmo-Quinto. This 3 – 4-piece band is able to accommodate some of the smaller live music venues available in eastern Iowa. Ritmo-Quinto features much of the same original and arranged Latin jazz music guaranteed to excite the listeners with tropical rhythms and stellar musicianship. The group features leader James Dreier (UI Emeritus Associate Professor in jazz) on congas, percussion and drum set, along with Askar Khaetov on electric bass, Dr. Ryan Smith on saxophones and flute, and Dr. Steve Shanley on Keyboards. Each of them bring their own years of experience and countless accolades to the stage for performances like no other.

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Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix
2024-07-06 20:00 - 21:30 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: 3x Grammy® Nominated and Voted by 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, charismatic and dynamic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of Jazz, HipHop, and Soul.

In addition to touring with her own band both domestically and internationally in 2023, Lakecia performed in more than 20 cities with the Monterey Jazz Festival All Stars, sharing the front line with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling and the Christian Sands Trio. She served as the Guest Artistic Director for the Burlington Jazz Festival, presiding over one of the largest audiences in their history. She served as Artistic Director for the John and Alice Coltrane Jazz Festival in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania and was named Artist in Residence at the 66th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Recently she was named “Jazz Scholar” by the Library of Congress for 2023.

Lakecia’s latest CD “Phoenix” produced by Terri Lyne Carrington, garnered 7 magazine covers and a New York Times cover of the Arts and Leisure Section. The album features Dianne Reeves, Angela Davis, Sonia Sanchez, Patrice Rushen, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Wayne Shorter. A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights; Lakecia Benjamin first picked up the saxophone at Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. From there she graduated from the renowned jazz program at New York’s New School University.

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Web: https://lakeciabenjamin.com/
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Jazz Brunch
2024-07-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Vue Rooftop, 328 S. Clinton Street Suite A, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Reserve your spot at the Jazz Brunch today! Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet accompanied by the sounds of the Murphy Fisher Quartet, and a beautiful view from Vue Rooftop. All proceeds support the Iowa City Jazz Festival.
Tickets
$35 adult; $15 children under 12

Reese Pike Trio
2024-07-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: The Reese Pike Trio is made up of Reese Pike on piano, Vivian Shanley on bass, and Brian Zeglis on drums. Reese and Vivian are currently students at Lawrence University, where they frequently perform together and are the co-presidents of the Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative. Reese is originally from Omaha, Nebraska and studies with Bill Carrothers and Dr. Catherine Kautsky. She is pursuing degrees in both music and Spanish. At Lawrence, Reese has been a member of Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble, jazz combos, Wind Ensemble, chamber music groups, and frequently accompanies both singers and instrumentalists. She was honored to be selected to perform with Carl Allen at the inauguration of Lawrence’s current president, Laurie Carter. Reese regularly performs in a wide variety of musical styles, including a solo piano performance of contemporary classical music written by Gabriela Lena Frank at the 2022 Omaha Under the Radar Festival. She has also opened for Champian Fulton. The winner of the 2020 Nebraska Jazz Orchestra Young Jazz Artist Competition, she is passionate about expanding representation within the jazz world.

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Trio Grismore
2024-07-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: A trio of friends since the early 1990’s, Steve Grismore, Mitch Towne and Tim Crumley have partnered up to create Trio Grismore. Their trio is a tribute to the classic guitar and organ trios first established in the 1950’s and 60’s. Drawing inspiration from the music of American jazz guitarist Grant Green, you will hear works either written or inspired by Green. But of course their music sends a nod out to a few of the great organists such as John Patton, Jimmy Smith, and Larry Young. You will also find in Trio Grismore, elements of saxophonists Lou Donaldson and Joe Henderson. An evening inspired by great music performed by great musicians

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Sam Ross Quintet
2024-07-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: The Sam Ross Quintet is a jazz combo made up of performers, composers, and educators. Sam Ross is a Iowa City based tenor saxophonist currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Iowa, where he studies with Dr. Damani Phillips. He will be joined by musicians including saxophonist Marvin Truong and pianist Carson Parker. With special emphasis on feel, culture, and historical aspects of the music, this group provides a great mix of new and original music.

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10 of Soul
2024-07-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Strauss Community Stage – Iowa City Jazz Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: This Quad Cities-based funk/soul band has been blowing up the Iowa/Illinois live music scene over the past twelve years. During that time, they have headlined many events, including the Iowa and Quad Cities Soul Festivals, the Bix Streetfest, Cedar Rapids’ Jazz Under the Stars, CR Market After Dark, Dubuque and All That Jazz, Beaverdale Fall Fest, River House and Tangled Wood concert series, and many more. They have also shared the stage/opened for Morris Day and the Time, Lalah Hathaway, Here Come the Mummies, the Travoltas, and many other national touring acts. During the “indoor” months, they can be seen at the Rhythm City and Riverside Casinos, as well as The Rust Belt, RIBCO, Rascals, the Redstone Room, and various weddings and corporate functions.

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Sam Ross Quartet
2025-07-04 17:00 - 18:00 | Oaknoll Side Stage-Iowa City Jazz Festival, 25 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Sam Ross is a young musician in the Iowa City area currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance and Minor in Business Administration at the University of Iowa. He has been involved in music and has played the saxophone for over 10 years. During the first half of those years, he spent time studying under saxophonist Debbie Yarrow and later with multi-instrumentalist Suzanne Smith. While in high school, Sam made it into the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) competition in both his sophomore and junior years and in his senior year made first chair tenor in the SEIBA jazz band as well as Allstate band. In 2024, Sam performed at the 2024 JEN Conference in New Orleans, LA. Earlier in 2025, Sam Ross was accepted into the live competition of the esteemed North American Saxophone Alliance regional competition for jazz saxophone in South Dakota. His primary instructor and mentor is Dr. Damani Phillips, jazz saxophonist and head of the jazz department at the University of Iowa. During his time as a musician, Sam has performed with many professional musicians such as world-renowned pianist Benny Green, pianists Steve Shanley and William Menefield, trumpeter Curtis Taylor, guitarists Steve Grismore and Craig Erickson, bassists Blake Shaw and Ben Soltau and drummers James Dreier and Jerome Gillespie.

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Web: https://srossmusic.com/home
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