Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra
Koplant No is a forward-thinking ensemble that incorporates elements of jazz, electronic music, and progressive rock. Their influences include Radiohead, Telefon Tel Aviv, Beck, J Dilla, Garbage Factory and Happy Apple. Featuring Brian Lewis Smith on trumpet, keys, and laptop, Drew Morton on basses and synths, Rob Baner on drums and samples, and Joel Vanderheyden on saxophone and vocals, the band has been developing it's unique sound throughout the midwest. Joel Vanderheyden's debut album on the Mize record label, “Complete Life”, features Koplant No and was recently chosen as CD of the Month for August 2009 on Jazz 88.3 KCCK. You can currently hear tracks from the new album in regular rotation on Eastern Iowa's jazz radio station. Chris Cooke of KIOS 91.5FM in Omaha says the album is “highly recommended, one of the best jazz rock records to be released in years!” The highly anticipated Koplant No debut album is available now!
Awards:
Iowa Arts Council Recording Grant www.iowaartscouncil.org“The music is so beautiful for me,” she said. “The kind of jazz [the members] play is kind of like jazz for the year 2010. It’s very progressive. They’re using a lot of the technology that’s available to them, and I think that’s really cool.” - Lisa Stark, Jazz 88.3 KCCK Cedar Rapids, IA
“Koplant No is the audio equivalent of a film noir. If I were a filmmaker, creating a science fiction detective movie (think Blade Runner), this album would be a great soundtrack. The playing is superb and they are telling stories outside of the box.” - Chuck Bolger, host of “Jazz...Or Something Like It” show on 91.7 FM WMUH Allentown, Pennsylvania.
“A young band of Midwest monsters” - Andrea Canter of the Jazz Police
“Getting [the students] to play with Koplant No was one of the highlights of my time here [at Iowa City High School].” - Mike Moehlmann, Former Director of Jazz Bands at Iowa City High School
Koplant No
Mize Music
2010
Tracks: Baby (With A Monocle); Pitch Dark; Cave Troll; Stubby McGhee's First Second Place Finish; Travelin' Man; Stubby McGhee Is Somewhat Less Than Confrontational; So Far; Cracked Out Cyber Mouse; What A Way To Go; Quarter Til Dawn.
Personnel: Brian Lewis Smith: trumpet, keys, drum programming; Joel Vanderheyden: saxophone, vocals; Rob Baner: drums, samples; Drew Morton: basses, synthesizer, french horn.
As A Side Musician
Complete Life
Joel Vanderheyden
Mize Music
2009
Tracks: Fall of a Superhero; Pees and Detoo; Complete Life; Gargoyles; Pirate Song; Tanzania Life Project; Between Heaven and Hell There is a Drawer of Junk; Simple Elegance.
Personnel: Joel Vanderheyden: saxophone; Brian Lewis Smith; trumpet, synths; Rob Baner: drums, samples, Drew Morton: bass; Steve Grismore: guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8); Tim Daugherty: keyboards, piano (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8); Jim Dreier: percussion (track 6); Brady Schlue: trombone (track 6).
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Primary Instrument:
Band/ensemble/orchestra
Location:
Iowa City, IA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
