ROD COOK and TOAST: roots and blues music

"Rod Cook, Chris Leighton, Keith Lowe and Dan Tyack are, without question, among the very best at what they do.....If you are acquainted with this astounding band you know that it is impossible to place their music in any kind of slot and say 'this is what it is.' It is simply incredible music performed by artists who are equally incredible."
---Washington Blues Society Bluesletter

"Ry Cooder and David Lindley fans would do well to check out this tasty new release by Seattle area rock roots and blues guitarist Rod Cook [lead guitarist in Laura Love's band] with his own band, Toast, which features drummer Chris Leighton, also from Love's band, as well as bassist Keith Lowe, and steel guitarist Dan Tyack."
---Dirty Linen #83

"Man ALIVE! This Toast is KILLIN..... You guys are KILLIN ..... KILLIN Where do you all come from???? Man Alive.... it REALLY REALLY sounds good....."
---Bill Frisell

"Incidentally, I'm sittin' here and rockin' to the Live Toast CD. Congratulations on some great playing."
---Buddy Emmons

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROD COOK
CELEBRATE WITH ROD @ THE TRIPLE DOOR
JUNE 14
GUITAR SLINGERS SHOWCASE W/ TOO SLIM ~ ROD COOK ~ HENRY COOPER ~ ERIC DAW
DON'T MISS THIS GREAT EVENING OF GUITARS AND BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!!

Pacific Northwest band ROD COOK and TOAST offers a refreshing, energizing approach to traditional American roots music, combining a variety of styles -- blues, rock, country, jazz, bluegrass, and New Orleans influences -- into a unique, cohesive blend. The band features three Seattle musicians who are in high demand for studio and live work: Rod Cook, Chris Leighton, and Jon Bayless.

TOAST began performing in the Seattle area in 1996. Rod Cook, after working with bassist Keith Lowe and drummer Chris Leighton on the Double Cookin' (Rod Cook and James "Curley" Cooke) album project, recruited them to do some random trio gigs. The musical and personal compatability was immediately obvious and the band was born. TOAST has continued to grow and build a following over the last ten years. Due to his extensive musical obligations (touring with Fiona Apple, Bill Frisell and others) bassist Keith Lowe was often unable to perform with the band. Jon Bayless began filling in for Keith as early as 1996 and has now replaced him as a full-time member. In January of 1997 work began on what was to become their debut album I Ain't the Fool, which was completed in August of 1998 and is available on CD. The recording has received many positive reviews from national and local print media, as well as from those who have purchased it. In 1999 the album was nominated for the Washington Blues Society's "Best NW Recording" Award. Toast also received the WBS's nomination for "Best New Band" in 1999 and "Best Band" in 2000 and 2001. In 2006 TOAST released it's second album Troublemaker. Both TOAST releases are available at CDBaby.com, TOAST performances and Rod Cook performances.

TOAST continues to play around the Seattle area and around the Northwest. Depending on budget and space considerations the band performs as a trio or a quartet (a variety of dynamic musicians have held the role of fourth member), and is versatile and dynamic enough to play intimate, semi-acoustic venues to full-blown club and concert settings. For more information contact Rod Cook at HwlnSquirl@aol.com.

SLICES OF BREAD TOASTED SO FAR:

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