ENSEMBLES
Ensembles
Kin of the Moon
Kin of the Moon is an improvisation-centric, technology-friendly chamber music series incubated in Seattle's rich musical scene. Headed by violist/improviser Heather Bentley, composer/vocalist Kaley Lane Eaton, and flutist/improviser Leanna Keith - Kin of the Moon explores sonic rituals, promotes cross-pollination of genres, emphasizes the communicative power of specific performance locales and celebrates the creativity that multiplies itself through the collaboration of performers and composers. The artists of Kin of the Moon devote their lives to reaching higher vibrational levels through sound creation.
CHA
CHA is an iconoclastic trio of classically trained artists who’ve crossed into the world of free improvisation. Meet Carol J Levin (harp), Heather Bentley (viola), and Amelia Love Clearheart (voice). All are active participants in Seattle’s dynamic creative music scene, and have joined forces to make a bold and unique statement.
Adding a world of influences to classical and jazz roots, CHA uses electronic effects to build a layered and varied spectrum of sound. But their most distinctive trait is that the group works entirely in the moment, with no scripting or pre-ordained structure. Percussive patterns, soaring strings, spontaneous poetry and haunting drones – the sounds of the earth – emerge as a unified voice through compositions that, even while defying labels, are remarkably accessible.
Heather/Dio Duo
Heather Bentley and Dio Jean-Baptiste, (Heather/Dio Duo) met at Racer Sessions years ago and started exploring the intersection between viola and drums for audiences of zero, or one, or hundreds. Their longform improvisations explore time, texture, interaction, sonority, space, and architecture…and of course, rhythm. They have collaborated with VJ Darren Palmer on livestreams and live shows, and have performed at Cafe Racer, Spite House, Chapel Performance Space, and Velocity Dance Center with Karin Stevens Dance. They were featured at the Royal Room’s Staycation Festival in 2021 on the Loudswell streaming platform with James Falzone, clarinetist extraordinaire, opening.
Slingshot
Jessica Lurie is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophones, flute and voice, and enjoys a varied career as a performer, composer, producer, and teaching artist. Heather and Jessica have been creative collaborators for years in their free improvisation project Slingshot. Their spontaneous compositions both hold intentional musical space for the many changes, while blooming with new sonic energy and color.