February 2005 marks the 20th year anniversary of the SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF IMPROVISED MUSIC, the longest running annual showcase of its kind in North America.

The Seattle Festival of Improvised Music (aka Seattle Improvised Music Festival/SIMF) features musicians who have dedicated many years to playing music that has at its root the act of improvising. This year's lineup celebrates musicians from around the country and includes guest artist Lê Quan Ninh from France. Among the highlights of this year's Seattle Festival of Improvised Music are a rare performance by festival founder and reed improviser Paul Hoskin as well as an appearance by the legendary Larry Ochs (of Rova Saxophone Quartet), who will perform with the Bay Area group What We Live.' Don't miss these and other exemplary expressions of the improviser's art.

SIMF continues to focus on outstanding improvising musicians from Seattle and throughout the Northwest, while also presenting musicians from all over the world. This year's festival showcases improvisers from France, Brooklyn, Boston, Austin, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Portland, Clallam Bay, and Seattle itself. We are especially pleased to present festival founder Paul Hoskin on opening night, Wednesday, February 9, at 8 P.M. A public workshop led by Chris Cogburn (Austin), Gust Burns (Seattle), and other festival participants TBA also will be held on Saturday, February 12, at 1 P.M. at Gallery 1412. And an open panel discussion will happen at the Gallery with various festival participants at Sunday, February 13th, at 3pm.

The Seattle Festival of Improvised Music has always been run by local musicians, and 2005's edition promises to be a milestone in the history of improvised music in the Northwest!

• click here to view the detailed calendar of events
• click here to read performer bios
• click here for directions
• click here to learn about the festival's history