Jazz Mass by Ike Sturm featuring choir and string orchestra. Soloists include Misty Ann Sturm, Loren Stillman, Ingrid Jensen, Ryan Ferreira, Adam Benjamin, Ike Sturm, Ted Poor and Grammy-nominated soloist Donny McCaslin. BIOGRAPHY Ike Sturm is a bassist, composer and bandleader in New York. He serves as Music Director for the Jazz Ministry at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan (the "Jazz Church"), celebrating a deep tradition of weekly jazz services and memorializing visionaries such as Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Ike has performed with many gifted musicians including Gene Bertoncini, Donny McCaslin, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Monder, Ingrid Jensen, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler. He has played on four Downbeat award-winning recordings as well as Steve Reich's releases on Canteloupe and Nonesuch Records. He has appeared with Alarm Will Sound and Signal and plays regularly with creative bands in New York. Ike studied jazz and classical bass and composition while earning Bachelors and Masters degrees at the Eastman School of Music. In addition, he drew inspiration from studies with legendary bassist Dave Holland. Saint Peter's Church recently commissioned Ike to compose a Jazz Mass for choir, strings and jazz septet. The studio recording features Misty Ann Sturm, Loren Stillman, Ingrid Jensen, Ryan Ferreira, Adam Benjamin, Ted Poor and GRAMMY nominee Donny McCaslin in a large-scale work including choir and string orchestra. The project is released on November 15, 2009 at Saint Peter’s and will begin touring in early 2010. “I have always loved the emotional heights and depths that can be revealed through voices and strings. To hear these sounds combine with some of my favorite improvisers is a great gift, especially while expressing texts that are sacred to me.” - Ike Sturm Touring info: The band will be traveling internationally to schools and churches, working with local choirs and orchestras and exploring the idea of community in music, culture and faith. Please visit www.ikesturm.com for more information.