Ellery Eskelin (saxophone), Andrea Parkins (accordion & keyboards), Jim Black (drums & percussion), Jessica Constable (vocals), Philippe Gelda (vocals & piano)

Ellery Eskelin searched for Andrea Perkins (accordion & keyboards) and Jim Black (drums & percussion) in order to satisfy a “sound he heard in his head”. He debuted with these two musicians in 1994 and the band quickly became one of the finest units in progressive jazz and improvised music.

Eskelin was raised in a musical environment in Baltimore. His mother, Bobbie Lee, played the Hammond B3 organ and lead her own jazz bands in the sixties. He started playing the tenor saxophone at the age of ten. From that moment it was already clear to him that he wanted to be a jazz musician and he began performing professionally while he was still in school.  In 1983 Eskelin moved to New York City to play and study. In the late 80s he appeared in Europe with the band Joint Venture and later he joined Joey Baron’s group Baron Down. Along the way Eskelin has done a number of side projects with Han Bennink, Dave Liebman, Marc Ribot, Sylvie Courvoisier, etc.
 
Most albums by the trio Eskelin/Parkins/Black were released on the Swiss hatHut record label that focuses on jazz, improv and contemporary music.

During European concerts, including this concert at Jazz & Sounds Festival, the trio  often invites guest artists Like Philippe Gelda (vocals & keyboards) and Jessica Constable (vocals).