A Word in Edgewise is a collaborative improvisation project merging dark themes with deep listening, intricate groove, vital dynamics and relenting intimacy. It is currently comprised of cellist Clark Battle and drummer Kevin Cook.
Kevin Cook (drummer) has been a staple in the Seattle dance scene, accompanying classes at Cornish College of the Arts, UW and Spectrum Dance for over 20 years. A long time fan of the avant-garde, he is inspired by such artists as Fred Frith, Captain Beefheart, Dr. Nerve, Amy Denio and Daevid Allen’s Gong. His dynamic playing has enabled him to play in a diverse range of projects, from the extremes of heavy metal to the sublime subtleties of acoustic cello.
Despite almost all of his musical influences being progressive jazz-rock guitarists, cellist Clark Battle reluctantly studied classical cello from a young age. Guitar envy ultimately seduced him down the unreasonable path of luthiery; irreverently hacking a perfectly good acoustic cello with an extra string, internal LEDs and internal electric surface exciters for guitar effects. Embracing an improvisational approach Clark weaves prepared themes with whatever inspires him in the moment.
Moraine is an omnivorous Seattle-based instrumental quintet led by guitarist Dennis Rea and featuring violinist Alicia DeJoie, woodwind player James DeJoie, bassist Kevin Millard, and drummer Tom Zgonc. With its several writers and full complement of ace instrumentalists arrayed in striking combination, Moraine has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying and original instrumental rock bands anywhere, winning over listeners around the globe with its unique amalgam of art rock, forward-thinking jazz, world music, and more. Moraine has been enthusiastically received by audiences ranging from jazz aficionados to metalheads to partisans of progressive rock and has appeared alongside such renowned artists as Three Friends (Gentle Giant), Steve Hackett, Eddie Jobson, and Richard Pinhas. The band's 2009 release on NYC-based MoonJune Records, manifest deNsity, garnered more than 100 enthusiastic reviews worldwide, and its set at NEARfest 2010, the world's preeminent showcase for progressive rock, was considered by many to be a highlight of the festival. Moraine created a buzz on its spring 2011 tour of major East Coast cities and in late 2011 released its second CD, Metamorphic Rock: Live at NEARfest, co-produced and mixed by legendary Pacific Northwest producer Steve Fisk.
Spontaneous Rex is an experimental jazz and avant-rock band based in Seattle. The band focuses on originals and covers that range from modern jazz to fusion; from electronic music to progressive rock, creating their own signature style. The band is a quartet of piano/keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums. The four met while studying music at Cornish College.
Star Cradle is a Seattle space rock band founded in 2014. They are prone to epic improvisational grooves situated somewhere between solid ground and the farthest reaches of the galaxy.
This experimental Portland trio, formed in 2006, specialize in creative overuse of their effect pedals. Their latest material includes extensive live looping work, creating huge enveloping layers of sound. At best, they fuse the oddball rhythms and technicality of progressive music with a genuine sense of melody and emotion.
A lot has changed with The Mercury Tree since they played Seaprog 2014. They’ve released an album called Permutations, toured extensively around North America, and morphed into a marvelously cohesive trio. They’ve also been exploring the world of microtonal tuning, utilizing custom instruments built for 17 notes per octave. And they’ve done it without losing sight of what it means to write good tunes.
Tiny Orchestral Moments is an international troupe of connected musicians who meet periodically to perform and record. A core of experienced musicians invites others to participate, including many from the world’s Guitar Circle community. The aim: share structured improvisation that sounds composed, and composed collaboration that sounds improvised.
Join us to see what happens when this amazing group of musicians gets together.
Seaprog is fiscally sponsored by Shunpike.
About Shunpike
Shunpike is the 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that provides independent arts groups in Washington State
with the services, resources, and opportunities they need to forge their own paths to sustainable success.
