Okzat-Ozkat

Okzat-Ozkat explores rhythmic, melodic, and textural diversity through improvised pieces for the curious listener.

Chris Frank is a bassist and composer based in Portland, Oregon. Since 2018, he has led the Frank Irwin Quintet, an instrumental group that strives to bring positivity and levity into the lives of its audience members through provocative compositions and an uplifting sound. He currently plays in the double bass section of the Willamette Falls Symphony. Frank has anchored the groups Inky Shadows and The Pariahs, and has played for Fritzwa, Joe Kye, and Jessika Smith Big Band.

Reed Wallsmith is a composer and saxophonist living and working in Portland. He is the founder and leader of Blue Cranes. He performs and composes with Battle Hymns & Gardens and Luke Wyland, and has collaborated with Wayne Horvitz, Laura Gibson, Like A Villain, Ethan Rose, Eyvind Kang, John Gross, Tere Mathern Dance, Northwest Dance Project, AU, and Cataldo, among others.

Jessika Smith is an award-winning jazz composer, saxophonist, and music educator. She teaches at Parkrose Middle School and High School in Portland, and she directs the Jessika Smith Big Band. She plays frequently with jazz groups throughout Oregon, including Torrey Newhart’s Obsidian Animals, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, and the Frank Irwin Sextet.

MLTZR is a beatmaker, producer, and bassist known for his background straddling jazz and creative electronic music. His transition from jazz to electronic production began in college, after he discovered the SP-404 sampler. He takes the improvisational and collaborative aspects of jazz to his electronic performances, which range from beat cyphers to live movie scores at Portland’s historic theaters. He is the Creative Coordinator for Portland’s Ext.606 recording studio.

Born into a family of musicians and artists in Philadelphia, keyboardist and producer Andre Raiah was exposed to an eclectic mix of sounds from a young age. Arriving in Portland from Puerto Rico in 2009, he has engaged in an ongoing study of piano, production, performance, recording, sound design, DJing, and listening, mapping out a unique approach to music and a sound that is all his own.

Alexander Thomas is a man made of meat who sometimes hits plastic-wrapped cylinders with wooden sticks. He is a budding stand-up comedian, friend to dogs, and all-around fantastic human. He plays drums for a number of Portland groups, including Isabeau Waia’u Walker, Frank Irwin Sextet, and Colin Jenkins.