“COMMUNICATION IS THE OUTER WORLD’S INTERSECTION WITH THE INNER WORLD“
The Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble (1970–1983) was a groundbreaking avant-garde collective that blended improvisation, cross-genre experimentation, and theater/dance integration to create a singular, genre-defying sound.
Founded in Baltimore, Maryland (1970) by saxophonist/composer Joe Clark, the group initially fused jazz, rock, folk, classical, and spoken word at the Bluesette Nightclub and The Classroom. The group relocated to Millbrook, NY (early 1970s) and later New London, CT (mid-1970s), where their sound evolved to incorporate minimalist drones, world music influences, and impressionistic textures inspired by their coastal surroundings.
Core Members:
Joe Clark (saxophones, keyboards, percussion)
Rusti Clark (viola, guitar, percussion )
Wall Matthews (guitars, keyboards, percussion)
Michael Smith (drums, kalimba, percussion)
Ara Fitzgerald, Laurie Cameron, Martha Moore, Wendy Goldman (dance, choreography)
KEY RECORDINGS:
Blends jazz improvisation, minimalist drones, world music, and impressionistic soundscapes, creating a “flow energy” that defies categorization.
The Neptune Collection (1975, Folkways)
Composed near Neptune Park in New London, CT, its watery, misty atmospheres reflect the coastal surroundings, resulting in a hypnotic, meditative quality. Sampled in 2003 by Four Tet for “She Moves She.”
Ceremony Of Dreams: Studio Sessions And Outtakes 1972-1977 Tompkins Square (2018)
A deep dive into the ensemble’s unique blend of jazz improvisation, minimalist classical, folk, and experimental soundscapes. It showcases the group’s improvisational and compositional spirit exemplifying the ensemble’s atmospheric, genre-defying approach.
Ceremony of Dreams (1978 NETV)
A half-hour audiovisual work that encapsulated the group’s unique approach to combining music, movement, and visual storytelling.
The Mermaid’s Purse: Live at Chatham College, 1976 (2022 Folkways)
A vital archival release that showcases the Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble at their most inventive and collaborative, blending genres and art forms to create a singular, immersive live experience.