Kyle Motl, Davu Seru, Paul Metzger

Starlight Room: NO COVER This trio creates adventurous, deeply interactive improvised music that blurs the boundaries between jazz, folk traditions, experimental sound, and contemporary composition. Metzger's distinctive prepared and modified string instruments, Motl's agile and textural bass playing, and Seru's inventive, highly responsive percussion combine to produce music that is at once spacious, rhythmic, and unpredictable—driven by collective listening, spontaneous dialogue, and a shared spirit of exploration. Motl Bio: Kyle Motl is a bassist, composer, and improviser whose adventurous approach to contemporary music has made him a sought-after collaborator in the worlds of experimental jazz, free improvisation, and new music. Known for his virtuosic technique and imaginative sound, Motl performs internationally as both a solo artist and ensemble musician, working with leading composers and improvisers while premiering new works and developing original projects. His performances span concert halls, festivals, and experimental music venues, reflecting a deep commitment to creative exploration, spontaneous collaboration, and expanding the expressive possibilities of the double bass. Kyle is a recipient of the 2026 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music. Seru Bio: Davu Seru is an American drummer, composer, educator, writer, and interdisciplinary artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A leading figure in the Twin Cities creative music community, Seru is recognized for his dynamic improvisational style and innovative work at the intersection of jazz, experimental music, and Black cultural history. He has performed and recorded with numerous acclaimed musicians while leading his own ensembles and collaborative projects. His performances, compositions, and writings reflect a deep commitment to creative expression, social engagement, and the evolving traditions of improvised music. Metzger Bio: Paul Metzger is an experimental musician, composer, and instrument builder based in Minnesota whose innovative work has earned international acclaim. Best known for his custom-designed and extensively modified banjos and other stringed instruments, Metzger creates richly textured music that blends improvisation with influences from folk, jazz, contemporary classical, and avant-garde traditions. His inventive performances reveal an extraordinary range of sonic possibilities from acoustic instruments, while his handcrafted designs have redefined the expressive potential of the banjo and guitar. Over a career of five decades, he has released numerous acclaimed recordings and performed throughout the United States and Europe, establishing himself as one of the leading voices in contemporary experimental music.