Reviews 1 — Esthesis Quartet

Press

“Musically, drummer Tina Raymond, who resides in Los Angeles; pianist/vocalist Dawn Clement, Denver; bassist Emma Dayhuff, Chicago; and flutist Elsa Nilsson, Brooklyn, come together in a place where technical ability meets creative inspiration. Think of it as a jazz multiverse that allows them to do everything everywhere all at once… it will leave listeners feeling happily exhausted by the final cymbal crash, when the Esthesis Quartet arrives at a zone all its own."

—Jazziz Magazine by Michael Roberts

“A quartet to be reckoned with… a commitment to improvised music from a contemporary approach or put another way -- as if "The Bad Plus" had an extra bit of freedom.”

—Caravan Jazz by Rudy

“Time Zones impresses for, among other things, the breadth of its writing and its seamless integration of improvisation and composition. Each member's strong, Nilsson dazzling as much in this context as on her own solo projects, Clement versatile and imaginative in her voicings and comping, and Raymond and Dayhuff inspiring in their powerful contributions to the session. Here's hoping that the momentum of the album's closing performance carries over to the creation of a third recording by the band.”

—Textura by Rob Schepper

“The four players mesh like they have been playing together for years. This is true whether they are dancing slowly through "First Light" or swinging through the ominous blues feel of "Brush Fire." Their varying careers as musicians and educators do not allow them much chance to work together but when they do, it is special.”

—All About Jazz by Jerome Wilson

“Consider that there are only six women across the country who are the department heads of jazz programs and two of them are in Esthesis Quartet. That speaks to the formidable and creative nature of this foursome as does the music on this highly inventive endeavor.”

—Making a Scene by Jim Hynes

“A robust and dynamic work… four stellar musicians held nothing back in the composing and playing of these compelling original songs.”

—Slang of Ages by Preston Frazier

“All four musicians excel… super swinging… this is a fantastic group, kudos!”

—Rootstime by Jan van Leersum

““Time Zones” is a seven-selection, original adventure. The group’s modern-day melting pot evolution might be considered organic, but in Esthesis Quartet we have four creative and fearless musician-spirits. If you bring your ears to this one, you’ll be fine.”

—Columbia Daily Tribune by Jon Poses

“Esthesis Quartet is a fearless launch into a future that one would hope includes extensive touring. The high level of artistry is without question, that which possesses a spirit that would surely thrive on the night to night realities of the road. It promises as well, to shed some light on the band's four members, each a high level contributor to the canon of modern jazz.”

— Paul Rauch , All About Jazz

“They turn the musical hands of the clock in perfect synchronization, beating to the pulse of four women representing tempo, melody and creativity with their own improvisations flowing from various ‘Time Zones.’”

- Musical Memoirs by Dee Dee McNeil

“Esthesis Quartet is a rather special unit. The description of their spontaneity and sonic explorations may sound pretentious but, at the end of the day, probably sums it up. Myself, I’d just say: wonderful!”

— Bebop Spoken Here by Lance Liddle

“It suddenly opens into another world, one that is exciting, like the imagination has taken over and even assumed some physical form, splashing brilliant colors on the walls and ceiling, running wild.”

— Notes on Jazz by Michael Doherty

“Monsters all of them”

— Jon Armstrong, KISU-FM

“Highlights include Clement’s piano playing on “Two Moons,” her wordless vocals on “Finding What’s Lost,” Nilsson’s lyrical flute solo on the thoughtful “the Gardener” and Esthesis’ attractive group sound.”

— Scott Yanow - Downbeat

“In Unity there is strength, as the Esthesis Quartet confirms one note at a time”

— Matt Micucci, Jazziz

“The rapport the four share is vividly captured on the set and is particularly strong for a debut outing. All of the musicians distinguish themselves and enhance the group identity, and the six performances are vibrant, energized, and powerful. Given the sterling evidence at hand, Esthesis Quartet is a project the four should definitely keep alive, pandemic or not.”

Press

“A quartet to be reckoned with… a commitment to improvised music from a contemporary approach or put another way -- as if "The Bad Plus" had an extra bit of freedom.”

“Consider that there are only six women across the country who are the department heads of jazz programs and two of them are in Esthesis Quartet. That speaks to the formidable and creative nature of this foursome as does the music on this highly inventive endeavor.”

“A robust and dynamic work… four stellar musicians held nothing back in the composing and playing of these compelling original songs.”

“All four musicians excel… super swinging… this is a fantastic group, kudos!”

““Time Zones” is a seven-selection, original adventure. The group’s modern-day melting pot evolution might be considered organic, but in Esthesis Quartet we have four creative and fearless musician-spirits. If you bring your ears to this one, you’ll be fine.”

“They turn the musical hands of the clock in perfect synchronization, beating to the pulse of four women representing tempo, melody and creativity with their own improvisations flowing from various ‘Time Zones.’”

“Esthesis Quartet is a rather special unit. The description of their spontaneity and sonic explorations may sound pretentious but, at the end of the day, probably sums it up. Myself, I’d just say: wonderful!”

“It suddenly opens into another world, one that is exciting, like the imagination has taken over and even assumed some physical form, splashing brilliant colors on the walls and ceiling, running wild.”

“Monsters all of them”

“Highlights include Clement’s piano playing on “Two Moons,” her wordless vocals on “Finding What’s Lost,” Nilsson’s lyrical flute solo on the thoughtful “the Gardener” and Esthesis’ attractive group sound.”

“In Unity there is strength, as the Esthesis Quartet confirms one note at a time”

“I’m caught up in the splendid excitement these four musicians create”