Collaborator. Musician.

What do you hear when you listen to a poem spoken?  I hear music. I think that's where poems begin, in music, and I know that's where my music begins, in poems.  These pages explore the connection between words and notes.  

The connection is always emotive.  I invite you to explore it with me.

And speaking of connecting, use the link at the bottom of this page or the Contacts page to connect with me.  Show me your poems, collaborate with me on a piece of music or a song lyric.  Or just say hello!

The Toves

We take our name from “Jabberwocky,” that crazy Lewis Carroll poem you learned in school.  As in “the slithey toves.”  We set poetry to music — the great poems of American & English literary history, and my own poems too — and yes, we do a version of “Jabberwocky.” Sometimes we appropriate a piece of music, like a familiar jazz melody or riff, and put words to it.  Whatever we do, our goal is to get you to listen differently to a poem you thought you knew or a jazz tune you recognize from a favorite record or band.  Our shows are usually like a poetry reading in 5/4 time.

Rick Eckberg - bass

Andrew Wiele - piano, clarinet

Clark Watson - words, ukes, vocals