Rod Cook and Toast
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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.

Rod CookROD COOK (bandleader & songwriter, guitars & lead vocals) has been performing and recording in the Northwest for over 20 years, playing a variety of styles with numerous musical groups. He is well known for his expressive, soulful work over the years with Laura Love, and with former Steve Miller Band member James "Curley" Cooke and, more recently, his work with with up and coming singer-songwriter sensation Vicci Martinez. Rod has recorded several albums with Laura Love (including Octoroon, Shum Ticky, and Fourteen Days), one with "Curley" Cooke, Double Cookin'  and an album, On My Way, and DVD, Vicci Martinez Live with Vicci Martinez   . Rod has also graced many recordings by Northwest artists, including Sugar Hill recording artist Ranch Romance. He has backed up blues legend Taj Mahal and opened as a solo act for Todd Rundgren, Sonny Landreth, and Charlie Musslewhite. Rod has been nominated numerous times for the Washington Blues Society's "Best Of The Blues" Awards, including nominations for all three guitar categories (Acoustic, Electric and Slide) in 1999, 2000 and 2004. In 2004 Rod received the award for "Best Acoustic Guitar" and "Best Electric Guitar" and in 2006 was again awarded the "Best Acoustic Guitar" award.  In October 1998 he was featured in the national publication Acoustic Guitar magazine.

Currently, in addition to Toast, he is involved in a number of musical projects including performing with The Vicci Martinez Band,  Northwest blues icon Little Bill Engelhart,  classic rock & blues band The Mudsharks, The Laura Love Band, Double Cookin' as well as hosting a couple of weekly jam nights in the Seattle area. .

Chris LeightonCHRIS LEIGHTON (drums & percussion), also a member of Laura Love's touring and recording band, has played with a long list of Northwest legends as well as national artists such as Randy Bachman, Chuck Berry, and world-renowned jazz guitarist Bill Frisell . Chris brings a wealth of performance and recording experience to the table and is one of the most sought after drummer/percussionists in the Seattle area. He is well known for his unusual approach (incorporating a steel drum and 20-gallon barrel into his drum kit) and his ever-present groove. Chris received the Washington Blues Society's "Best Drummer" Award in 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Jon BaylessJON BAYLESS (bass & vocals) is an excellent singer and strong, solid bass player. In the 80's he was part of the Minneapolis music scene before lending his talents to such Seattle stalwarts as Boy Toy and Soul Kiss in the 90's. Jon has toured and recorded with Ann Wilson (Heart) and Elaine Summers, and has performed with Heart on Jay Leno and VH1's "Fairway to Heaven." Most recently, he recorded five tunes with Nancy Wilson, Mike McCready, Peter Frampton & Ben Smith for the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe's Fall 2000 film Almost Famous.
HONORARY TOAST MEMBERS
Bob Cook
BOB THE SUPERCAT
(10/1983-8/24/2000)
 		 Lucifer Bedbug
LUCIFER BEDBUG
(8/11/1988-5/2/2000)
 		 Zacky
ZACHARY
(5/22/2000-8/12/2003)
 		 Stoner
STONER
 		 Frosty
FROSTY MONSTER
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