Words and Music at the Prophouse

As jazz fest time rolls around again, the city is in a flurry of creative activity. Bassist, Clyde Reed, is organizing a week-long series of words and music collaborations at the Prophouse Cafe. Several years ago, Clyde began working with the poet Kate Braid, collaborating with her at numerous readings, poetry festivals and the like. The partnership proved to be very successful and inspired Clyde to think of other collaborations with words and music. The Prophouse is a warm and intimate venue that provides close contact between artists and audience.  

Words and Music draws on Clyde's long-term artistic relationships with amazing musicians , poets, vocalists and spoken word artists from up and down the West Coast. Out-of-town guests will be Michael Vlatkovitch (trombone, Los Angeles), Rich Halley (tenor sax, Portland), Mark Weber (poet, New Mexico), and Laura Winter (poet, Portland). These folks will improvise together, with Clyde and local artists Kedrick James (spoken word), Jared Burrows (guitar), Daniela Elza (poet),DB Boyko (voice), Vivianne Houle (voice), Coat Cooke (saxes/flute), plus Ion Zoo: Carol Sawyer (voice), Steve Bagnell (saxes/percussion), Lisa Miller (piano).

The series will feature some established, long-term collaborations such as Kate and Clyde, Michael and Mark, Kedrick and Coat, but also a lot of new and unexplored combinations. Expect an incredible variety of improvised collaborations between words and music: song, poetry, found text, and spontaneous vocalizations of every description. 

Prophouse Cafe

1636 Venables St. Vancouver

admission by donation

June 25-28, 5-7pm. Sets at 5 and 6pm.

June 25


1st set: Daniela Elza (poet) plus Clyde Reed (bass) and Jared Burrows (guitar)


2nd set: Kedrick James (spoken word) plus Clyde, Jared, and Coat Cooke (reeds)


June 26


1st set: Kate Braid (poet) plus Clyde Reed

2nd set: Viviane Houle (voice) plus Clyde Reed, Jared Burrows, Rich Halley (reeds), Michael Vlatkovich (trombone)



June 27


1st set: Mark Weber (poet) plus Michael Vlatkovich and Ion Zoo: Carol Sawyer (voice), Lisa Miller (piano), Steve Bagnell (sax and percussion, Clyde Reed (bass)


2nd set: Ion Zoo


June 28


1st set: Laura Winter (poet) plus Clyde Reed, Rich Halley, Michael Vlatkovich


2nd set: DB Boyko (voice) plus Clyde, Coat, Jared Burrows and Michael Vlatkovich