Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble

Formed in Chicago, the Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble unites three musicians who fuse American primitive guitar approaches with vanguard jazz and modern classical music. As the ensemble’s composer, McLaughlin performs on acoustic six- and twelve-string guitars, joined by Jason Toth on upright bass and Joel Styzens on hammered dulcimer. Water Glyphs released the trio’s self-titled debut album in August 2020. For more than a year the group prepared and captured its second album—built from several McLaughlin compositions—across four lengthy improvisatory sessions at Chicago’s Fine Arts Building, tracking everything on a vintage Tascam 1/2" tape machine. From those extended performances the musicians distilled nine pieces. Tompkins Square Records issued Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble II in September 2022.