Name: K. Curtis Lyle, Alex Cunningham and Damon Smith Trio
Start: 2025-04-19T19:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-04-19T21:30:00-05:00
Location: Compass Inc

Improv trio of poet K. Curtis Lyle, violinist Alex Cunningham and double bassist Damon Smith presented as part of the Unbound Book Fest.
About this Event

Dismal Niche in collaboration with the Unbound Book Festival Presents:
K. Curtis Lyle, Alex Cunningham and Damon Smith Trio

7:30 Doors / 8pm Show

Free-Jazz Trio of renowned poet K. Curtis Lyle, double bassist Damon Smith and violinist Alex Cunningham will perform Lyle’s “The Collected Poem for Blind Lemon Jefferson”

K. Curtis Lyle:
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California K. Curtis Lyle is a renowned poet, educator and performer. A founding member of the Watts Writers Workshop in 1966, Lyle has served as poet-in-residence for the Black Studies Dept. at Washington University in St. Louis and has taught courses at The City University of New York and Lindenwood University in Missouri.

Lyle’s works have been widely published as well as adapted to music. Notable works of Lyle’s include a collection of selected poetry entitled, Electric Church and the long prose poem, The Epileptic Camel Driver Speaks to a Refugee Death (Firecracker Press). The text of Lyle’s poem, Drunk on God, was recorded for renowned saxophonist Julius Hemphill’s Big Band (1988 Electra/ Asylum).

K. Curtis Lyle currently resides in St. Louis, MO.

Damon Smith is a double bassist, improvisor, and educator currently living in St. Louis. Active since the early nineties within free-improv scenes all over the US, he has worked and recorded with legends including Cecil Taylor, Peter Brötzmann, Marshall Allen, John Tchicai, Elliott Sharp, Chris Cutler, Fred Frith, Jim O'Rourke and filmmaker Werner Herzoog. In Smith’s playing one can hear the influences of the gritty experimentalism of the 70’s German free-improv scene and American jazz propel his improvisations in a distinct and rhythmic way. Alongside his work as a performer and recording artist, Smith is also the proprietor of the Balance Point Acoustics label established in 2001.

Alex Cunningham is a St. based avant-garde violinist and visual artist. His work spans free improvisation, drone, noise, and minimalist composition across a deep catalogue of solo albums and collaborative recordings alongside Lisa Cameron, claire rousay, Chris Trull, Mark Shippy, Patrick Shiroishi, Weasel Walter, and many more!