Founded by Lance Conrad, Peter Gemus, and Mark Valdes, Strictly Trio is a group looking to tell stories through the intimacy of a guitar trio. The group formed out of their love for the greats, but it has evolved into an ensemble which explores each musician’s own sound.

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Lance Conrad is a forward thinking guitarist, bandleader, composer, and arranger who attended the USC Thornton School of Music. Born and raised in Palm Springs, Conrad started as a classical guitarist and ventured to Spain to study with Pepe Romero, Margarita Escarpa, and Scott Tennet. Despite his success in the classical genre, Conrad shifted his musical voice towards Jazz. At Thornton, Conrad has played under the direction of Vince Mendoza, Bob Mintzer, Alan Pasqua Bruce Forman and Aaron Serfaty. Using these influences, Conrad has begun to foster his own sound through founding Strictly Trio. Strictly Trio mainly performs original compositions and arrangements of Jazz standards. As a bandleader, Conrad is dedicated to conveying stories through his music.

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New Jersey native Peter Gemus is a jazz bassist currently attending the USC Thornton School of Music. While in Cincinnati, OH, he was fortunate to play with and learn from many of the area’s great musicians. After working as a band leader and sideman for 10 years in Cincinnati, Gemus relocated to Los Angeles in 2020.

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Mark Valdes is an award-winning drummer, percussionist, and composer based in Los Angeles. He began playing drums and percussion at 13 years old and has been recognized by festivals and institutions nationally for his work in the jazz idiom. Mark has shared the stage with world-class artists such as John Daversa, Poncho Sanchez, Bob Mintzer, and Barbara Morrison. During his time at the USC Thornton School of Music he has studied drums with Peter Erskine, Aaron Serfaty, and Roy McCurdy; and has studied composition with renowned pianists Russell Ferrante and Alan Pasqua.