Ike Sturm is a bassist, composer and bandleader in New York City. He is the Music Director for the Jazz Ministry at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. He has performed with Alarm Will Sound, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Gene Bertoncini, Ingrid Jensen, Donny McCaslin, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Monder, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler. His large-scale Jazz Mass album received a 4 1/2 star rating from DOWNBEAT magazine and was named among the “Best CDs of the Year.” Ike joins The Playful Musician to discuss his educational ensemble at Saint Peter’s Church, Jazz 4 All. We talk about how jazz music is a good fit for churches and Ike shares what it was like growing up with a music icon as a father. We chat how he found his way to the bass, his mentors and musical influences, and how the outdoors influence his music. Ike shares how his playing and writing go hand in hand and how the pandemic has changed his writing process.