Band Member Showcase
Mike Conrad
Founder, Artistic Director, Composer, Pianist
Mike Conrad is a composer and improviser currently serving as Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, where he earned the Outstanding Teacher Award in 2024. His compositions have garnered four ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, a SONIC Award from the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, the 2023 Sammy Nestico Award, and many other accolades. Conrad’s music has been performed all over the world by ensembles including the Metropole Orkest (Netherlands), the United States Air Force Airmen of Note, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Chris Washburne Octet at Carnegie Hall.
Mike Conrad’s wide-ranging creative projects include his unique 15-piece group, the All Angles Orchestra (New Angle, 2017), the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra (Fertile Soil Suite, 2021), reimaginations of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 and Ravel’s La Valse for the Berlin-based Stegreif Orchester (2019 and 2026), and two trio albums (Reconnect, 2022; Pretzel Letters, 2025). He records and performs regionally on piano with groups like Christopher Merz’s “Shorter Stories,” the Jon Ailabouni Quintet, and Jackson Churchill’s “Good Question, and has also performed and recorded with musician such as Louis Hayes, Alexa Tarantino, and Greg Gisbert. His jazz festival appearances include the Umbria Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Rockport Jazz Festival, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and the Iowa City Jazz Festival.
Dr. Conrad earned degrees from the University Northern Iowa (BM and BME), the Eastman School of Music (MM), and the University of Northern Colorado (DA). He is in high demand as a clinician and guest director for jazz ensembles, including All-State Jazz Bands in Iowa (2023), North Dakota (2027) and South Dakota (2027). Mike lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa with his wife Ashley and their daughter Madeline.
Dave Rezek
Trumpet
Dave Rezek has been a vital part of the Des Moines jazz scene since his return to the area. Active as a leader, sideman, private teacher, clinician, festival adjudicator, and guest artist with colleges and high schools, he earned a Community Jazz Center Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the jazz tradition in Central Iowa. Dave is on the faculty of Susie Miget's Creative Music Studio, where he teaches trumpet and jazz improvisation. He was Artistic Director of the Des Moines Big Band from 2015-2025, serves as arranger/musical director for Max Wellman’s ensembles, and has maintained an active performance schedule with Dave Rezek’s Alpha State Agents, the Bryan Schumacker Quintet, and the Tony Valdez Large Band. Prior to his return to Des Moines in 2007, Dave had spent 10 years playing on the East Coast in Boston and New York. He completed his MM degree in jazz performance at New England Conservatory and performed as a member of a handful of large groups led by Bob Brookmeyer’s top composition students, including the 2-time Grammy Award Nominated large ensemble Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society. He was also a designated sub for numerous Broadway shows, including the smash hit Jersey Boys, with whom he performed on stage at the 2006 Tony Awards Show, where they earned Best Musical.
Anthony Williams
Lead Trombone
Anthony Williams enjoys a high frequency of performing in classical, jazz, and new music settings. He is principal trombonist of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and performs regularly with other orchestras in the region. As a soloist and chamber musician, Williams performs often locally and nationally at festivals and universities. International performances include appearances in Germany, Austria, Italy, Cuba, Czech Republic, and Hungary.
His current jazz and commercial music performance activities include regular appearances with local and regional groups such as The Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, Max Wellman Big Band, Orquesta Alto Maiz, Chris Merz’s Shorter Stories, NOLA Jazz Band, and many others. Williams’ past experiences include engagements with the Memphis Symphony, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, Ray Charles Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, Four Tops, and Aretha Franklin. His pit orchestra experience includes performances with the national tours of Some Like it Hot, MJ the Musical, Funny Girl, and TINA.
His debut solo album, “Synthesis,” is a collection of five newly commissioned works for solo trombone composed and performed by UNI faculty and student musicians from the past and present. The album contains pieces scored for various ensemble settings featuring influences from classical, Latin, and jazz styles. Williams has continued his passion for commissioning new music by having two new pieces, Para Anthony, by Jorge Sosa (2024) and Lesley, by Henry Dorn (2025), written for the Skins, Bones, and Ivories Too trio that is made up of Williams on trombone, Sean Botkin on piano, and Matt Andreini on percussion.
Recent recordings projects include recordings as trombonist with the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra (Maya Roots 2025 and Fertile Soil Suite 2021), Tanarat Chaichana Jazz Orchestra (Portraits of Thailand 2022), Endeavor Jazz Orchestra (Solipsis: Music of Ryan Brake 2021), Chris Merz’s Shorter Stories (New JuJu 2023) and David People’s Electrophonic Orchestra (Itty-Bitty Bluesopera 2020) Additional recording credits include, Origin Suite and Time Within Itself with the Mike Waldrop Big Band “Grosso for Trombone and Electronics” for Mexican-born composer Jorge Sosa’s album, Plastic Time, and albums by UNI alums Ryan Middagh and Dave Lisik.
Dr. Williams is Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Northern Iowa where he teaches applied trombone, trombone pedagogy and literature, low brass techniques, and directs the UNI Trombone Ensemble and Trombone Quartet. He also serves as a member of UNI’s jazz faculty by teaching applied jazz trombone and directing the UNI Jazz Trombone Ensemble.
Dr. Williams earned degrees from the University of Central Arkansas (BM), University of Northern Iowa (MM), and the University of Memphis (DMA).