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Java Blend Exclusive Hour With Natalie Brown and Mirage

Tune in for a fresh-brewed hour of music with Natalie Brown and Mirage.

In this episode of IPR Studio One's "Java Blend," host, Ben Kieffer will chat with Iowa native, Natalie Brown and her new band Mirage.

Listen to and download the podcast to find out more about the making of their new fusion of inspired jazz.

Composed of Natalie Brown on violin, Richard Wagor on bass, Jon Wilson on drums, Ryan Phelan on guitar and vocals, Luke Viertel on keyboard and vocals, the new Iowa group called Mirage is dedicated to fusion, jazz, and funk music. Started as a Jean Luc Ponty tribute project, they perform several Ponty tunes, as well as Ponty collaborations, like with Frank Zappa, and Mahavishnu Orchestra. They also perform originals, contributed by Brown, Wagor, Viertel and Phelan.
 

A Suzuki and classically trained violinist, Natalie Brown has been the orchestra director at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since 2004 and this past year has taught String Techniques at Coe College. She received her Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Iowa, teacher certification from Coe College, Masters of Music Education from University of Northern Iowa, and, most recently, spent the 2012-2013 academic year in the Elphinstone Institute’s ethnology and folklore MLitt program. When she returned to Iowa, Natalie initiated the Eastern Iowa Folk Club, a first in the area, based on her experiences with folk clubs in the Aberdeen area. 

Stay tuned for more Java Blend, Saturdays at 2PM on IPR Studio One!

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River