“Although Iowa’s reputation justifiably concentrates on farmland, the state park Ledges offers an alternative perspective. Cliffs, trees, and creeks located around 40 miles north of Des Moines offer opportunities for hiking, solitude, and taking in fall colors. I composed the tune’s central vamp after a particularly serene visit; much like Iowa’s jazz scene, its natural beauty is a source of pride to us locals.”

“As the church-going son of two public school educators, I was raised to try and do the right thing. As I became a teacher myself, however, I realized that this sometimes meant sacrificing the easy, fun, or popular path to follow a longer term vision. “Of Necessity” explores such values, the guiding beacons in a world full of dark distractions.”

“The inspiration behind this arrangement of a Leonard Bernstein classic goes to my teacher, Nick Finzer. I never tire of hearing his masterful rendition of “Maria,” and his continually inventive improvisation always leaves me awestruck and a proud student. I hope that “Somewhere” sparkles with my own nuance, maturity, and clarity of ethos.”