I think about Jeph Jerman roughly once a week. Although this percussionist left Seattle in 1999 for the Southwest, I remember his inimitable performances vividly. Back in '97 or '98, I ventured into a vacant office space on Eastlake Avenue. It was dark, and despite a reasonable turnout, I was the only one sitting in the front row. After someone faded out the "warm-up" music-delicious VLF radio static run through a digital chorus module-a gaunt silhouette stood not more than three feet away. My intuition warned me I was too close. I stayed put.

Darkness slowly distorted in a broad, circular blur. Air pulsed and washed over me in dense, refrigerated bursts, growling a guttural whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop. Jerman was spinning a small bullroarer, basically a plank with holes tied to a rope, and doing what he does best: using an orchestra of natural materials to confront (and sometimes seduce) listeners with the physical essence of sound and silence.

I've chatted with Jerman only twice. We've exchanged at most a dozen words; he's quiet but self-assured. By e-mail he told me, "I will be bringing an assortment of natural things, pine cones, shells, yucca stalks, pumice, dried mushrooms, stones, a couple of frame drums, balloons, and a stone bowl and marble."

For this short Northwest tour, Jerman reunites with longtime foil Paul Hoskin, a searing clarinetist/saxophonist who has returned to public performance after a several-year absence. I heard Hoskin three weeks ago; he remains a firestarter, pushing and probing with barks, shrieks, and exclamations or defiantly changing the mood with a simple sustained tone or daring stretch of silence. Not to be missed. CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI

Jeph Jerman and Paul Hoskin perform Thurs Jun 16 (Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 322-1533), 8 pm, $5-$15 sliding-scale donation.