FOREST FEST brings a NYC/San Diego-based, collective percussion quintet, The Forest (Gustavo Aguilar, Leah Bowden, Andrew Drury, Lesley Mok, and Michael Wimberly) to Seattle for two nights of sonic exploration with percussionist Bonnie Whiting, clarinetist James Falzone, and the UW Percussion Ensemble. Using drums as wind instruments, dustpans played with violin bows, and inspiration from Ed Blackwell, M’Boom, Contemporary New Music, Asian percussion traditions, and more, FOREST FEST challenges 21st century musicians and listeners to find new pathways to a habitable future in a forest of possibilities.
March 31 Program:
Trio (Bonnie Whiting, Lesley Mok, Leah Bowden)
UW Percussion Ensemble
Solo (Andrew Drury)
Duo (Bonnie Whiting, James Falzone)
Presented by Continuum Culture & Arts, FOREST FEST was instigated by Seattle native Andrew Drury in collaboration with Bonnie Whiting and James Falzone. Since moving from Seattle to New York in 1998 Drury has been called “one of most innovative and bold drummers on the modern music scene” (All About Jazz), and “a phenomenon to watch perform as his playing often transforms the instrument itself” (Free Jazz Blog). Both nights utilize timpani, mallet instruments, gongs, drum sets, concert bass drum, hand drums, piano, small percussion instruments, and found objects.
This event is made possible with the support of Continuum Culture & Arts, a non-profit organization, and Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This event is also supported by the University of Washington Music Department, Cornish College, and Common Tone Arts.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: King County & WA State have lifted their mandate requiring masks and proof of vaccination. Masks are recommended but optional for this event.