Paul Rucker is an Interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis on musical composition. He will discuss his recent work, CATALYST, an interactive music and video installation currently on view at the Jack Straw New Media Gallery. 

Cellist, Bassist, Composer, Visual Artist, Paul Rucker moved to Seattle in 1998 where he currently leads various ensembles, including the “Paul Rucker LARGE ENSEMBLE,” which Paul deBarros of the Seattle Times recognized as performing “One of the top 5 Concerts of the Year" in 2006. Rucker has released two highly acclaimed CDs: “History of an Apology” and "Oil." "History" features compositions and bass playing by Rucker performing with NW musicians including Bill Frisell, Julian Priester, Jovino Santos Neto, Hans Teuber, and others. “Oil” which was nominated for “Jazz CD of the Year” in 2004 by Earshot Jazz, features Rucker on Cello and Hans Teuber on Alto Saxophone. The Paul Rucker LARGE Ensemble has been nominated for “Outside Ensemble” of the year in 2004. Rucker won “Best Emerging Artist of 2004” from Earshot, and “Jazz Artist of the Year 2005” from the Seattle Music Awards. Rucker’s recent interactive installation “Wall of Pieces” was on display at Consolidated Works in Seattle alongside Trimpin’s “Sheng High.” Paul has received numerous grants from 4 Culture for Visual Art and music, Seattle Mayors Office, South Carolina Arts Commission. He has been awarded residencies to, Blue Mountain Center, Ucross Foundation, Art OMI, and Banff Center. Paul recently received a Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation to travel to Bellagio Italy last fall.

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