As a concert presenter and bandleader, I often bring together brilliant improvisers from divergent backgrounds to create something from nothing.

These concerts celebrate the timeless continuum of human expression: melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, orchestration, and form are collectively reimagined as the music unfolds in real time.

This collective approach to spontaneous musical invention seats the audience at the very edge of the creative process, mutually absorbing both listeners and musicians into the ever-unfolding moment.

The resulting symbiotic relationship reveals a world of communal possibility, highlighting the significance of the embodied, palpable experience of live music performed for live audiences.

Nurturing the symbiosis between performer and listener, I honor my favorite performance spaces without implementing unnecessary amplification.

This commitment enriches the communal experience immeasurably, enveloping audiences into the rich harmonic warmth of natural acoustic resonance.

Dynamic contrasts, unencumbered by electronic interference, are expressed naturally by the musicians without exaggeration or compression.

These acoustic sensations are both heard more intensely and felt more profoundly by the listener when cultivated in this way.

This series offers an innovative "next step" program for young adult musicians, effectively helping these burgeoning creative individuals to embody their leadership potential by cultivating a space in which their contributions may flourish. The necessary elements of successful presentation are demonstrated and the programming process is supervised along the way.

Each concert features one vital Baltimore-based composer/improviser under age 30. Following a brief solo performance, the featured musician is showcased within two contrasting groups -- each performing cutting-edge, spontaneously composed music, free from idiomatic restrictions.

These concerts are self-promoted through a holistic program of graphic fliers, promotional videos, targeted email outreach, and word of mouth. Video recordings of each concert are edited and archived in order to document the vital work being done in this pivotal concert series. I organize, oversee, emcee, promote, perform, and create flyers and videos for each one of these concerts, which are presented in partnership with An Die Musik.

Posture of Possibility is a wholehearted endeavor to unite dedicated young creative musicians with an equally dedicated audience in the open and accepting atmosphere of An Die Musik. I have selected 12 young musical leaders under the age of 30 to lead adventurous performances in Baltimore’s premier listening room — putting full trust in improvisation as a potent unifying force across musical boundaries.

The intention is to deliver music of substance, embracing the community while affirming the exceptionally personal nature of creative process for the improvising musician. For many of these musicians, this is their first time presenting a concert in this manner, and my work is to nurture a space wherein each of their creative contributions may flourish.

Featured artist performs a brief solo improvisation.

Featured artist then leads a performance with a band of their choosing.

*15-min intermission*

Featured artist is joined by curator Derrick Michaels and a band of his choosing, intended to provide stark contrast with the sounds from the first set.

Artists and audience may mingle afterward to discuss the music.

JANUARY 19th | Liam Hurlbut saxophone  

FEBRUARY 16th | Asher Herzog drums  

MARCH 8th | Erin Connelly trumpet  

UPDATE:

**As of March 14th, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the remainder of this series on pause for an indefinite period of time. We plan to reschedule these remaining eight artists for live, in-person dates whenever it is deemed safe to present live music again by public health officials.**

The following are the canceled (postponed) dates associated with the Posture of Possibility series:

APRIL 19th | Tim Houston - guitar  

MAY 3rd | David Diongue - saxophone 

 JUNE 14th | Andrew Young - drums

JULY 26th | John Jeffries - guitar

AUGUST 16th | Jake Fidler - trumpet 

SEPTEMBER 20th | Zach Mckinney - saxophone

OCTOBER 18th | Rachel Winder - saxophone

NOVEMBER 15th | Walsh Kunkel - guitar 

 DECEMBER 13th | Derek Wiegmann - bass

In 2019, I made a commitment that transformed my music irrevocably: 

I chose to dedicate the year’s work to programming concert events, and I refused to be a leader on ANY gig where the music was incidental to a social function. 

What resulted were 20 concerts I produced — 12 of which constituted this engaging monthly concert series at An Die Musik in Baltimore. This series was my public declaration of a new direction in my music and my engagement with the community. Each performance taught me more about the inner workings of the music, the inner workings of the saxophone, the delicate yet powerful connection between players on stage, and the even more delicate yet equally vital connection with the audience...

There were major takeaways that will inform the music I make for years to come. I was able to make music with peers and heroes, and learn from the music as it unfolded in real time.

Half of these performances featured instrumentation that strayed from the jazz tradition altogether. This instigated a major shift in my musical voice, allowing me to develop a wider expressive palette that evokes both the jazz and classical traditions of the saxophone’s sound characteristics, all in an effort to express the full character of my musical potential within any musical context.

Thanks to everyone who supported these efforts, whether from the stage or the audience.

Mission Statement:

The wholehearted expression of music has the potential to uplift the spirit and heal our hearts. These 12 concerts are representative of a creative continuum which is designed to challenge convention & elude classification. I’ve stationed my tenor saxophone at the axis of a distinctive array of ensembles, putting full trust in improvisation as a potent unifying force across musical boundaries. The mission is to deliver music of substance - embracing the community, while affirming the exceptionally personal nature of creative process for the improvising musician.

Thanks to this cast of musicians who through their creativity and spontaneity have all pushed me to become a more deeply authentic musician and human. My “ears” are bigger, and my heart is fuller!

Ellery Eskelin tenor saxophone, Susan Alcorn pedal steel guitar, John Dierker reeds, Michael Formanek bass, Dave Ballou trumpet, Tom Swafford violin, Zach Swanson bass, Derek Wiegmann bass, Savino Palumbo piano, Alex Weber bass, Dominic Smith drums, Dalius Naujo drums, Theljon Allen trumpet, Eric Kennedy drums, Sarah Hughes winds, Zack Branch cello, Mike Kuhl drums, Jaron Lamar Davis drums, Chris Pumphrey piano/saxophone, Erin Connelly trumpet, Nicole Connelly trombone, Andrew Hadro baritone saxophone, Jacqueline Pollauf harp, Brent Madsen trumpet, Jamal Moore reeds, Jeff Reed bass, Laura Banner cello