About Me
IdiotsAvant is the duo of Seattle's Bryan Cook (Cuchata) on drums and keys and Portland, Maine alto saxophonist/vocalist Sean Lent (Seppuku). The group formed in 1998 during a particularly brutal Maine winter. Longtime friends Cook and Lent founded the group to explore the unique possibilities afforded by the classic combination of drums and saxophones, and have since expanded their sound with various electronics, vocals and keyboards. Their entirely improvised performances tend to favor the more bombastic side of the experimental free-jazz genre, incorporating any number of styles and influences. Spoken word, junk percussion, vocal experimentation, game pieces, and humorous elements may make their way into any given show, but one can always count on blistering solos and dynamic interplay. Shows are rare since Cook relocated to Seattle from Maine in 2000, but over the past 9 years the group has performed at The Sunset Tavern (Seattle), the renowned-and-defunct Polestar Music Gallery (Seattle), the Center on Contemporary Art (Seattle), Local 188 (Portland, Me), The Black Bear Brew Pub (Orono, Me) and The Damn Yankee (University of Maine, Orono).Band Bios:Percussionist Bryan Cook, originally hailing from Maine, relocated to Seattle in the summer of 2000. In addition to IdiotsAvant, Cook is a member of Cuchata, Sly Lothario and Suicide Jack. He has also performed with such notables as The Degenerate Art Ensemble, Michael Shrieve, Lee Oskar, Arlo Guthrie, and various orchestras and percussion groups worldwide.Sean LentPortland, Maine-based alto saxophonist Sean Lent has spent the better part of the last decade playing improvised music. In addition to IdiotsAvant, Lent is a member of the Seppuku Trio and Quintet, featuring members of Mystic Outbop Review, and has been performing in an ongoing duo with nationally acclaimed noise musician and dadaist Crank Sturgeon.
