Non Sequiturs is a suite written expressly for this group in which the band's musical energy is altered by various com- positional progressions (and impediments) much like the flow of a river or stream over varied geographical terrain. The form is episodic, based on elemental balance rather than narrative logic. The composed portions provide ballast against which we as improvisors make our choices elaborating upon (or more often contrasting) the given material, resulting in a compositional and group oriented approach rather than soloistic one (even as there remain some overtly soloistic passages). Often I have provided rhythms upon which we spontaneously choose our own notes. — Ellery Eskelin |