players

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.

Cass's website is myspace.com/mergepoetrymusic

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 (featuring Rene Hart, Allison Miller and Steven Bernstein). He has also played and recorded with Chico Hamilton, Sonny Sharrock, The Band with Bob Dylan, Buddy Miles, John Medeski, Trey Anastasio, Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne, his father Arnie Lawrence and many others. Erik music has always been inspired by poetry, literature, visual arts, dance and nature. He has been a college educator since he was 18 years old and currently teaches jazz saxophone and flute at Williams College and the Putney School. For Erik, Merge is a dream come true.

Erik's websites are: www.myspace.com/hipmotism and www.levonhelm.com/erik_lawrence.htm

Allison MILLER, Drums

Allison Miller was voted in September 2006 as Rising Star drummer in Downbeat's Critics Poll, the second year in a row she has received this honor. As bandleader and/or collaborator, she currently performs and records with TILT, Agrazing Maze, and Boom Tic Boom, all of which have recent, critically acclaimed outings on the Foxhaven label. She also appears regularly with Hipmotism, Marty Ehrlich's Sextet, The Natalie Merchant Band, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Kitty Margolis and Erin McKeown.

Allison's website is allisonmiller.com.

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, and opened for Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison. Rene has recorded and/or performed with artists including Julian Priester, Charles Davis, Steven Bernstein, Clark Terry, Sean Lennon and Billy Hart. His recent commitments include Hipmotism and Yonadav Halevy's Sienna Quartet.

Rene's website is www.myspace.com/renehart