THE FOREST & THE ZOO: improv post-jazz

The Forest & The Zoo is a Philly music collective enjoying the exploration of improvisation, abstract composition, and also straightforward notation and rhythm-based tunes. This Feb 22 show is the group's debut at Studio 34. Doors open at 7PM, music will start shortly thereafter.

The Forest & The Zoo 2026 also heralds the launch of Chunky Homestyle Audio, a new digital label on Bandcamp. See more from the Forest & The Zoo on Instagram and Facebook.

About the Musicians:

Drummer Ed Wilcox has performed throughout Europe and South America with Temple of Bon Matin, Marshall Allen, and Arthur Doyle. His playing is deeply rooted in his native South, veering from the thunder of Ginger Baker to the cool jazz whisper of Roy Haynes.

Cory Neale's nearly forty-year relationship with the double bass has taken him through many worlds—from indie rock, experimental music, hip-hop, orchestral music and sound design for a variety of dance and theater organizations. He loves to create in collaborative contexts and believes it a way to make the world a better place.

George Draguns has played bass in the noteworthy bands Don Caballero and Storm and Stress. Since 2022, George has switched to guitar and reconnected with drummer Kevin Shea and saxophonist Ayumi Ishito. Collectvely known as the Roboquarians, the band released Roboquarians Volume 1 and 2 on 577 records. Also released in the past year was the Makeshift Spirituals album (Ed Wilcox, Daniel Carter, George Draguns, and Ayumi Ishito) and the Flying Sutra album (with Ayumi Ishito) all on 577 records.

David Ford's favorite instrument is the flugelhorn. Founder of improvisational music collective Sonic Sandbox, he enjoys music as a river that is never the same twice. He has been playing music since the age of nine. Sonic Sandbox

Hugh Wattles has been playing saxophone in the Philly area since the 80's with bands such as new wave/funk band Orangotango, and experimental sound/metal percussion ensemble Lick the Earth. He also has played with many solo artists such as Jack Wright, Toshi Makihara, Woz, and Charles Cohen.