Work samples

  • Erin Connelly Quartet

    This 3-minute excerpt captures a moment from a live performance on Sunday, March 13th, 2022, featuring Erin Connelly on trumpet, Zach Swanson on bass, Tony Martucci on drums, and Derrick Michaels on saxophone - the Erin Connelly Quartet. 

    The group delivered an intimate, freely improvised set that unfolded organically throughout the evening with seamless transitions between subtlety and intensity.

    The music that day was effortless and deeply communicative, showcasing the quartet’s collective spontaneity and dynamic interplay.

    This performance was recorded live at An die Musik in Baltimore, the same day that the group recorded their debut recording, Fruitful.  

  • Tiff (feat. Erin Connelly)

    Tiff (feat. Erin Connelly)

    In 2023, my twin sister, trombonist Nicole Connelly, graciously asked me to be a part of her debut album, Stamp in Time.

    The recording features Nicole Connelly on trombone, Zachary Swanson on bass, Kate Gentile on drums, Andrew Hadro on baritone saxophone (Track 7), and myself on trumpet (Tracks 3, 5, 9, 10, and 12).

    Most of the tracks I played on are fully improvised and serve as connective pieces between the album's other compositions.

    Track 10, Tiff, highlights Nicole on the trombone and myself on the trumpet. The piece captures our musical connection and sibling relationship, where occasional tensions are shared. The duet is fully improvised and has a playful sense of dialogue.

    Stamp in Time was released on June 5, 2024

    Available for Purchase

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About Erin

Baltimore City  

Erin Connelly is a Baltimore-based trumpet player, improviser, and educator.  

Early on, Erin was inspired by the beauty, vulnerability, and romance in the music of trumpeter, Chet Baker. The poignant lyricism in his trumpet playing compelled her to pursue the trumpet as a vehicle for self-expression.

As an improviser, Erin embodies a warm, lyrical, and sensitive approach to the trumpet.  With a dark, round, and nuanced sound, her compassionate sensibilities cultivate space… more

View Erin's Resume
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Fruitful (Independent Release, 2023)

Fruitful

The debut album by trumpeter Erin Connelly 
Erin embodies a warm, lyrical, and sensitive approach to the trumpet.  With a dark, round, and nuanced sound, her compassionate sensibilities cultivate space in which layers of music may unfold around her.  

The album was released on March 4, 2023, Fruitful features:

  • Derrick Michaels - saxophones
  • Zachary Swanson - upright bass
  • Tony Martucci - drums


The band is vulnerable, and the music has a synergistic tone that can be felt throughout the recording.  Each musician shows off their distinct, ensemble-centered approaches which let the music take shape in its own way. 

Fruitful was recorded live in one room, which captures the natural communicative responses between the musicians and the openness of the chosen space. 

Fruitful features three improvised tracks:

  1. Apricity – 10:25
  2. Lone – 6:43
  3. Nutriment – 25:57
    Total Time – 43:05

Recorded: March 13, 2022, by Noah Tingen at Peabody Conservatory
Mixed by: Noah Tingen
Mastered by: Sam Torres
Artwork by: Grace Stegall

  • Fruitful Cover Art by Grace Stegall
    Fruitful Cover Art by Grace Stegall

    The album artwork was commissioned by Baltimore artist, Grace Stegall. 

    When I first saw this piece, its vibrant energy and uplifting tone immediately resonated with me. It felt like the perfect visual representation of the album—it was perfect!

    Available for Purchase
  • Erin Connelly Quartet
    Erin Connelly Quartet

    This image features the Erin Connelly Quartet on March 19, 2023, at Zissimos in Hampden.

    The photo was taken after the band's performance during the Fruitful CD release show. The bill featured a diverse lineup of Baltimore-based bands, including the Bayberries, the Dave Heumann/Mike Kuhl Duo, and the Erin Connelly Quartet. Photographed by Efrain Ribeiro.

     

     

     

     

  • Apricity

    Apricity is the first track on Erin Connelly's debut album, Fruitful, released in March 2023.

    This track beautifully outlines the synergistic magic of the ensemble, capturing their ability to craft spontaneous, improvised melodies with a compositional unity that feels intentional and seamless.

    Available for Purchase
  • Nutriment

    The grand finale and conclusion track on Connelly's debut record is titled, Nutriment. As the lengthiest track on the album, this 25-minute-long piece offers the ensemble ample time to stretch their creative ideas, build layers, and explore within the zone of creation. The result is an immersive and satisfying conclusion to the album. 

    Available for Purchase
  • Lone

    Lone is the second track on Connelly's debut record, "Fruitful". The album was recorded on March 13th, 2022 by Noah Tingen at Peabody Conservatory. Mixed by Noah Tingen and Mastered by Sam Torres. 

    Available for Purchase
  • Playing with the Erin Connelly Quartet
    Playing with the Erin Connelly Quartet

    This is a photograph of Erin Connely from the Fruitful CD-release show at Zissimos in Hampden. 

    The show took place in March 2023 and was graciously photographed by local photographer Efrain Ribeiro. 

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    • Yellow Dwelling

    Yellow Dwelling is a Baltimore-based instrumental duo project, featuring trumpeter Erin Connelly and saxophonist Derrick Michaels. Together, Connelly and Michaels explore the boundless potential of creative musical energy, blurring the boundaries between consonance and dissonance.

    Their music combines elegant lyricism with playful discordance, creating a blend of spontaneity and depth. This musical collaboration began in 2018, debuting as part of Connelly’s senior undergraduate recital at Towson University. The ensemble continues to evolve as a unique voice in the improvisational music scene.

    • Yellow Dwelling in Hampden
      Yellow Dwelling in Hampden

      Yellow Dwelling was photographed in performance by local photographer Efrain Ribeiro in June 2024.

      The concert featured a night of duo performances, with Yellow Dwelling sharing the bill with the guitar and saxophone duo of Walsh Kunkel and Zachary McKinney, as well as the trumpet and guitar pairing of Ben Frock and Jon Birkholz.

    • Yellow Dwelling Performs at the Hargrove (Baltimore)
      Yellow Dwelling Performs at the Hargrove (Baltimore)

      This was a live performance image from October 2022 (Photographer Unknown).

      Yellow Dwelling was invited to play at the Hargrove in Baltimore, MD. The duo opened up for Abe Mamet's group Cutting Ceremony (Washington, DC).  

       

       

       

    • Zeep by Erin Connelly

      This recording is the first iteration of Yellow Dwelling, performing Zeep, a composition by Erin Connelly.  The piece was performed and recorded live at Towson University in May 2016. 

    • Erin Connelly and Derrick Michaels
      Erin Connelly and Derrick Michaels

      Photo by Britt Olsen-Ecker 

       

      Featuring Yellow Dwelling 

      Saxophonist, Derrick Michaels 

      Trumpeter, Erin Connelly

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    • Improvised Collaboration (through Present)

    This compilation includes photographs, audio, and video clips from freely improvised performances spanning to the present.

    These performances were all spontaneous, with no pre-written music, which allows music to be created in the moment.  Each of the ensembles and collaborations features unique instrumentation and musicians from a range of backgrounds. Over the years, these collaborations have helped me foster new connections and have helped me push the boundaries of my improvisational expression.
     

    • Ear Lobe at Dear Globe
      Ear Lobe at Dear Globe

      This photo captures the first iteration of Ear Lobe, a free exploratory jazz collective, at Dear Globe Coffee in Baltimore, MD.

      The concept for the evening was simple: a curated night of music featuring musicians from across the city's diverse music scene, with no restrictions on instrumentation or groupings. The event felt like a game of musical chairs, as mini-ensembles formed spontaneously, allowing everyone to explore and create with a rotating cast of collaborators.

      The evening was hosted by Dear Globe Coffee.  

    • Festival of New Trumpet (Brooklyn, NYC)
      Festival of New Trumpet (Brooklyn, NYC)

       Festival of New Trumpet Music

      On Sunday, September 15, at Public Records in Brooklyn, NYC, I was honored to play at the Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT). The evening opened up with my ensemble, the Erin Connelly Trio, featuring myself on trumpet, Joe Fiedler on trombone, and Zachary Swanson on upright bass.

      We had the privilege of opening for Ben Neill, who performed a set of ambient music paired with video projections, showcasing his unique Mutantrumpet.

      The image was captured by trumpeter and photographer, Lukas Frei.  

       

    • Tiff (feat. Erin Connelly)

      In 2023, my twin sister, trombonist Nicole Connelly, graciously asked me to be a part of her debut album, Stamp in Time.

      The recording features Nicole Connelly on trombone, Zachary Swanson on bass, Kate Gentile on drums, Andrew Hadro on baritone saxophone (Track 7), and myself on trumpet (Tracks 3, 5, 9, 10, and 12).

      Most of the tracks I played on are fully improvised and serve as connective pieces between the album's other compositions.

      Track 10, Tiff, highlights Nicole on the trombone and myself on the trumpet. The piece captures our musical connection and sibling relationship, where occasional tensions are shared. The duet is fully improvised and has a playful sense of dialogue.

      Stamp in Time was released on June 5, 2024

      Available for Purchase
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