Merge

Merge is a true chamber collaboration between music and poetry. Formed by saxophonist/flutist/composer Erik Lawrence and Poet Cassandra Cleghorn in the Spring of 2006. They released their first CD, MERGE, and are finishing up their second, Mystery Loves Company, featuring noted.

The ensemble creates a rare balance of true interactive response between poetry, composition and improvisation. Their unique approach is drawn on the high level of improvisation and listening by each of the members including the poet, herself an accomplished violinist.

Cassandra Cleghorn, poetry/voice
Cassandra Cleghorn has taught English and American Studies at Williams College since 1990. She earned her BA in Greek from University of California, Santa Cruz and her PhD in American Studies from Yale University. She was a finalist for the 2000 Massachusetts Cultural Council
award in poetry. Her writing has appeared in journals including The Paris Review, Yale Review, Prairie Schooner, Southwest Review, Western Humanities Review and Tin House magazine.

Erik Lawrence, saxophones & flutes
Saxophonist/Flutist/Composer Erik Lawrence is currently featured playing with legendary Levon Helm, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra and Erik’s other band Hipmotism. He has also played and recorded with Chico Hamilton, Sonny Sharrock, The Band, Bob Dylan, John Medeski, David Amram, his father Arnie Lawrence and many others. Erik music has always been inspired by poetry, literature, visual arts, dance and nature. He currently teaches jazz saxophone and flute at Williams College and the Putney School.

Ziv Ravitz
Ziv was born in Beer-Sheva, Israel by the age of 13 began his professional career. In 1999 Ziv was chosen as a reserved drummer for guest performers from Europe and the United States at the Camelot Jazz Club in Tel Aviv. Ziv moved to the US in the summer of 2000 to expand his musical experience and to grow as a Jazz composer. Ziv had the opportunity to perform with musicians such as Hal Crook, Greg Hopkins, Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Eugene Friesen, Mick Goodrick, Eli Dejibri, James Genus, George Garzone, Ben Monder, Avishai Cohen and more. Ziv had toured extensively all across Europe with various groups such as TAQ, Minsarah, Sin, Nicolas Simon Group, Iasi Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra. At Dec 2004 Ziv graduated from Berklee School of Music with a Jazz Composition Degree. Ziv is currently sign to ENJA as recording artist.

Rene Hart, acoustic bass
Rene Hart spends much of his time lately touring with English blues/pop
sensation James Hunter, with whom he has recently played the Conan O’Brian and Jay Leno shows. Rene has recorded and/or performed with artists including Julian Priester, Charles Davis, Steven Bernstein, Clark Terry, Sean Lennon and Billy Hart.