New Music Monday — Esthesis Quartet, Eric Lilley Trio, & Roy McGrath

Tune in Monday, March 13, at noon for New Music Monday with Arturo Gómez as he debuts these new additions to the KUVO library.

Esthesis Quartet:  “Time Zones” — After their amazing debut recording in 2022, this all female 4-tet returns with another sizzling recording. The Esthesis Quartet is led by Denver’s own pianist-composer-arranger and educator, Dawn Clement. The ensemble takes their name from the philosophy and psychology term for: elemental awareness of sensory stimulation. The young ladies do not disappoint as they will stimulate your hearing sensory! The title of “time Zones” comes from the fact that all 4 members live in different time zones and because they have recently concluded a tour through various time zones as well. All 7 selections are originals written by the group who are: Dawn Clement-piano (MT time),  Emma Dayhuff-bass (CT time),  Tina Raymond-drums (PT time),  and Elsa Nilsson-flute (ET time).

Eric Lilley Trio  “Three” — A long-time Denver-based pianist, Eric Lilley took a leave of absence from the recording and playing scene for several years before returning 2 years ago with a swingin’ recording accompanied by Denverites. Lilley continues his “comeback” with another excellent outing with his collaborators of many years, bassist Mark Diamond-bass and Tony Black-drums. In addition to them, he has percussionist Jose Espino on 2 Latin-tinged selections. Eric wrote all 9 of the songs and he allows space for all the sidemen to have space for solos throughout the session. This album is sure to garner national recognition for the Eric Lilley Trio as it will be distributed and promoted to jazz radio stations and streamers across the land bringing more shine to the greatness of the Denver jazz scene!

Roy McGrath  “Menjunje” — Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico saxophonist Roy injects plenty of Puerto Rican rhythms, instrumentation, and folklore into his new album, his first since 2014. McGrath attended music schools at the Berklee College of Music in Boston followed by Loyola University in New Orleans where he became a fixture in the NOLA festivals scene. Roy attended Northwestern University where he obtained his master’s degree and subsequently decided to make Chicago his home where there is a vibrant Puerto Rican and jazz community. Roy shares that his album title, “Menjunje” comes from a Puerto Rican homemade tonic that is given to those who feel under the weather. When you listen to this 8-song session there is no way you’ll feel under the weather!

Now in its 20th Anniversary year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, in particular, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

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