History 

Established in 2023, People’s Music Supply is a platform for creative encounters between Philadelphia musicians. Our prime directive is to offer space for transcendent sonic experiences. More than prestige, intellectual justifications, or style, what defines our organization is the answer to a simple question: “Do you want to feel alive?”​

From a loose network of events related to improvised creative music, the Supply has grown to a robust collaborative outfit of 20 artist-members. We have hosted dozens of concerts, open sessions, workshops, and film screenings across the city of Philadelphia and beyond. In 2026, we rolled out two new People's Music Supply projects: the Recording Company and the Composers' Orchestra. 

We've presented performances by Guggenheim Fellows (TR7),  Pew Fellows (Dan Blacksberg, Karen Smith, Toshi Makihara, Alex Smith), and acclaimed jazz bassist William Parker. Other esteemed musicians to appear on a People's Music Supply bill include composer and performer Qiujiang Levi Lu, violinist Bilianna Voutchkova, Sun Ra Arkestra guitarist DM Hotep, butoh dancer Azumi OE, improvising calligrapher Setsuhi Shiraishi, clarinetist Madison Greenstone, and vocalist Thomas Buckner.

Beyond organizing concerts, we have an ongoing commitment to connecting artists through teaching and collaboration. We have organized workshops led by acclaimed musicians Joe Morris, Kresten Osgood, Kirnavali Vidyasankar, Erica Dicker, and Dan Blacksberg, and put together inter-generational ensembles, such as a chamber orchestra led by legendary saxophonist Bobby Zankel (Soul of Sangha) and a 10-piece group dedicated to performing the music of Anthony Braxton (Breath and Spectre).

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In recent years, Supply has developed its multi-media ambitions via exhibits that explore the relationships between painting, fashion, movement and sound; resulting exhibitions include Jessica Brown’s summer 2024 exhibit "The Fashions of Paradise" and the December ‘25 - January ‘26 exhibit "Chasms," a three-person show featuring the work of Jessica Brown, Ella Konefal, and poet/textile artist Abigail Swoboda.

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The Supply has co-presented with institutions such as The Rotunda, The Perch, Philly Jazz Month, Fire Museum Presents, the Plastic Club of Philadelphia, Christ Church Philadelphia, Studio 34, Rhizome DC, and DC Bird Alliance. Our members are affiliated with local arts and educational organizations including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, the Curtis Institute of Music, Ursinus College, Marywood University, Fleisher Arts Memorial, Asian Arts Initiative, Vox Populi Gallery, and Play On Philly.​​​​

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