Emotive Origami Quartet

Led by WWU Director of Jazz Studies, Kevin Woods

Western Washington University and Sculpture Woods present the Emotive Origami Quartet featuring Kevin Woods, trumpet; Cat Toren, piano; Joel Kruzic, bass; and Christian Casolary, drums.

Award-winning trumpeter and composer Kevin Woods has emerged as one of the most melodic and emotive voices in improvised music in the Northwest. His passion for both performance and education have made him in demand as a leader and a sideman as well as a composer, arranger and clinician. Woods lives in Bellingham, Washington where he is active as a performer, educator and composer/arranger, and serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Western Washington University.

Cat Toren is an award winning pianist, composer and improviser and holds a Masters of Music inComposition from the State University of New York. Described as “vibrant, earthy and spiritual” (UK Vibe), Cat “uses bold atmospheric abstraction and fluid melodies to mix deep human warmth with creative fire” (Coastal Jazz and Blues). Accolades include a Juno Award, Western Canadian Music Award and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Chamber Music America. She has recorded numerous albums as leader and side-person and has working projects in New York and the Pacific Northwest. She is on faculty at Western Washington University.

Joel Kruzic is a west coast-based double bassist and guitarist. Born and raised in Sonoma County, California, he has performed with many jazz musicians in the Bay Area, including Calvin Keys, Randy Vincent and Ken Cook. Kruzic completed his B.F.A. in Jazz Performance at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City in 2013 and his M.M. in Classical Bass Performance from Western Washington University in 2026.

Christian Casolary is a drummer, composer, and music educator living in Bellingham, WA. His music echoes the sounds of Jazz masters—past and present—creating a style that is dynamic, emotional, and open. Christian holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Western Washington University, where he later taught as a Jazz Instructor. He is in demand as a bandleader and sideman throughout the Pacific Northwest.