The Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble
| Company type | Collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Key people | Joe Clark, Rusti Clark, Michael S. Smith, Wall Matthews |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble was an ambient music collective active between 1970 and 1983, distinguished by their integration of musical performance with dance choreography.
The ensemble's original lineup featured Joe Clark on saxophones and keyboards, Rusti Clark handling viola and guitar, Michael S. Smith on drums and percussion, along with Wall Matthews who contributed guitars, keyboards, and percussion.
Originating in Baltimore, Maryland, the group underwent several relocations, moving first to Millbrook, New York, then to New London, Connecticut, before returning to Baltimore. The ensemble dissolved following the passing of Joe Clark in 1983. Subsequently, Rusti Clark passed away in 1986, and Michael Smith in 2006.
Recordings and notable performances
During the mid-1970s, Moe Asch of Folkways Records produced two albums for the group: Entourage (1973) and The Neptune Collection (1975). These albums were later reissued on CD and digital platforms by Smithsonian Folkways in 2007.
In 1976, the choreographer Murray Louis commissioned Entourage to compose a two-hour original score inspired by the ballet Cleopatra for the Royal Danish Ballet.
Entourage was also commissioned by Nebraska Public Television in 1978 to produce Ceremony of Dreams, a half-hour national television special.
In 2003, electronic musician Four Tet sampled "Neptune Rising" from The Neptune Collection in the track "She Moves She."
Critical reaction
The ensemble garnered favorable critiques. Stereo Magazine in 1974 lauded their debut as one of the most "unique groups since The Paul Winter Consort," calling it a "beautiful album."
Russell Shaw of Crawdaddy! commended The Neptune Collection for its complex arrangements suited to dance interpretation and described the recordings as "awesomely imagistic; a maelstrom of impressions..."