Fourager

Fourager is a jazz quartet from Seattle, featuring Rocky Martin (drums), Julian Weisman (bass), Jackson Cotugno (sax), and Martin Budde (guitar).

Rocky Martin is a bandleader who performs and teaches throughout the Pacific Northwest. He curates music rooted in the history of jazz drum set, often incorporating visual art, spoken word, martial arts/movement, or various plant life to supplement the music. In June 2025, Rocky and Fourager will celebrate the release of their eponymously titled debut album, which explores themes of reciprocity, friendship, community building, and self sufficiency through connecting to nature. Rocky studied closely with Walter Smith III while attending Indiana University in Bloomington, and has performed with Sullivan Fortner, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Wendel, Tierney Sutton, John Raymond, Todd Coolman, Wayne Horvitz, James Falzone, Jacqueline Tabor, Marina Albero, Chris Bittner, and co-lead Heartland Trio featuring Barclay Moffitt and Hannah Marks from 2017-2019.

Bassist and composer Julian Weisman’s intuition for music and the bass have led him to collaborate with a variety of artists and play in venues such as Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Jordan Hall (Boston), and the Appel Room (NYC), as well as festivals on both coasts. His long term recording/ performing projects have been with Fourager, the Star Gondola, and various solo/ duo formats. Julian has performed with many of the legends of Salsa music, such as Charlie Aponte, Tony Vega, and Roberto Blades. He studied at New England Conservatory with Cecil McBee and Don Palma. In order to navigate the wide horizons of his music, Julian plays 3 types of bass: upright, electric, and baby bass. Each offer unique qualities, charms and difficulties, but the player is consistent, diligent and musical. 

Jackson Cotugno is a saxophonist that until recently was based in Seattle, WA. Since his arrival on the Seattle music scene in 2020, Jackson has collaborated with local luminaries such as Thomas Marriott, Marina Albero, Jessica Lurie, Matt Jorgensen, Julian Priester, Wayne Horvitz, John Bishop, Jimmy James, Joe Doria, D'vonne Lewis, Marc Seales, and many others. All of this experience culminated in his winning of the Earshot Jazz “Emerging Artist of the Year” award in 2022. Jackson was also an in-demand saxophone technician in the area working by himself as well as with Mighty Quinn and JazzEd. In August of 2024, Jackson moved to New York City to work with John Leadbetter at his legendary shop JL Woodwinds while maintaining a playing career working with bands such as Tredici Bacci and Gentleman Brawlers.

Martin Budde is a guitarist and composer/educator based in Seattle, WA. Growing up playing with family from a young age, he is partially self-taught and owes much of his musical development to his family, friends, and mentors such as bassists Chuck Deardorf and Marshall Hawkins. Martin has established himself over time as a reputable guitarist and composer in the Seattle area and on the West Coast where he performs regularly in a variety of groups. He co-founded the Seattle/New York-based contemporary jazz group Meridian Odyssey, whose first release, Second Wave, was voted as one of the top 15 Seattle records of 2020 by The Seattle Times, and whose second full length album, Earthshine, was awarded the 2022 Golden Ear Award for NW Recording of the Year by Earshot Jazz. Martin's music is energetic, dynamic, and grounded, with a strong melodic voice that speaks to undercurrents of American music as a whole, and at the same time seeks to dive into unknowns.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open 30 minutes before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.