Esthesis Quartet was formed in the Spring of 2021 with pianist Dawn Clement, flutist Elsa Nilsson, drummer Tina Raymond, and bassist Emma Dayhuff. What started as a composition support group to keep the creative juices flowing on zoom, became a dedicated writing and recording project. They played their first show together in LA at Sam First in August of 2021 and plan to release their first album in Spring of ’22.

Esthesis Quartet plays original jazz with a reckless abandon that shakes the preconceptions of traditional instrumentation roles. They treat each other’s compositions with understanding, respect and a treacherous amount of freedom, leading to musical explorations that resolve in unexpected directions. Esthesis Quartet was formed during a time when we couldn’t touch each other, and the name of the band reflects this. Esthesis means elementary sensations of touch, a reference to the missed human contact and how much music represented and strengthened these connections in lockdown.

Elsa Nilsson – Flutes and Pedals
Dawn Clement – Keys and Voice
Emma Dayhuff – Bass
Tina Raymond – Drums