Ellery Eskelin - 1980s

1980s

From late 1981 until early 1983 Eskelin toured with swing era trombonist Buddy Morrow in a big band setting performing one-nighters across the country and culminating in a tour of South America in early 1983. In March 1983 he left the road tour and moved to New York City. In an effort to solidify his understanding of be-bop Eskelin attended nightly informal jam sessions for several years at a local club called the "Star Cafe" on 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. These sessions were run by saxophonist Junior Cook and drummer Harold White (who Eskelin had first met and performed with in Baltimore). In addition Eskelin pursued private studies with saxophonist George Coleman. During the summer of 1984 Eskelin performed with organist Jack McDuff's band (which featured guitarist Dave Stryker and legendary drummer Joe Dukes) at a regular engagement at Dudes Lounge in Harlem. While reinforcing these foundations Eskelin slowly began to develop his own approach to improvisation, combining traditional elements with free improvisation. Laying the groundwork for these explorations were studies with saxophonist David Liebman which led to informal jam sessions and eventually a working professional relationship. In 1987 Eskelin began developing original music with drummer Phil Haynes which led to the formation of the cooperative group "Joint Venture" (with trumpeter Paul Smoker and bassist Drew Gress) as well as numerous other projects centered around Haynes' Brooklyn loft and rehearsal space. Along with a group of like minded musicians they presented a number of annual self-produced festivals in Manhattan at the Knitting Factory which ran into the early 1990s. These performances and subsequent recordings by these groups led to Eskelin's initial exposure on the European touring circuit.