Ike Sturm

ENSEMBLE BIOGRAPHY - Integrating jazz and world rhythms in richly textured original music, the New York-based Ike Sturm Ensemble fuses diverse influences into a unified, contemporary style. The unique voices of each of its ten improvising members speak to audiences within a saturated environment of original artwork painted by artist and clarinetist Madeline Sturm to complement the sound and form of the music.

A grant from the Eastman School of Music in 2001 provided an opportunity for the group’s first multimedia performance of “Spirit,” a three-movement suite by Ike Sturm. “Reflect” (Live DVD” 2003) is a through-composed six-part suite using paintings, photographs and projected images to convey symmetry in God’s creation. Most recently, the group premiered a new work, entitled “Shape of Day,” a 7-part suite that traces the different perspectives of light encountered throughout a single day.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY - Ike Sturm is a bassist, composer and educator in New York focusing on the presentation of original music. In addition to working as an educator and clinician, he leads a 10-piece ensemble in collaborative music and visual art concerts with his sister, clarinetist and artist Madeline Sturm. He recently was named the Assistant Director of Music for the Jazz Ministry at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan, internationally regarded as the “Jazz Church,” where he performs and composes original music for weekly jazz services.

He has performed with Gene Bertoncini, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Monder, Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, and orchestras throughout the US. He has performed with “Alarm WIll Sound” and is a member of “Neos,” a new music quintet. He has played on four “Downbeat” award-winning recordings as well as composer Steve Reich's most recent releases on Canteloupe and Nonesuch Records.

Ike studied jazz and classical bass while earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees at the Eastman School of Music. He served as a graduate teaching assistant in Eastman’s Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Department and co-directed the Eastman Jazz Lab Band. In 1999, he was privileged to study with legendary bassist Dave Holland.

Ike lives in New York with his wife, soprano Misty Ann Sturm. “Spirit,” his first CD, was released in early 2004. (www.ikesturm.com)

“This is exceptionally beautiful music played by wonderful musicians displaying a maturity way beyond their years. I'm impressed!”

- Maria Schneider

“Ike Sturm's Spirit is, to my ears, a deeply touching piece of music. In the often harsh world that we live in today, it is refreshing to hear jazz-based music that is so open and vulnerable.”

- John Hollenbeck