Flutist and composer Elsa Nilsson will release her album “Already There Yet” at New York’s Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 1, 196 Allen Street) on Monday, Septmeber 30th, at 6 pm. Combining the rich heritage of her Swedish homeland with jazz and musical influences from around the world, Nilsson and her quintet will showcase songs from the exciting new album.
With two Full-length CDs under her belt, Elsa’s third offering is a tour de force, mixing personality and tradition to take the listener on a journey through sounds from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, Turkey, and the Baltic countries. Nilsson has built a solid career and reputation upon her belief that all folk music (including jazz) has a common thread, and that by weaving those threads together, a deeper, more layered understanding among varying cultures can be reached. It is in this spirit that Elsa's "absolutely gorgeous (Karen Pauley, KSER, Seattle)" compositions shine through.
Each member of the culturally diverse band brings his or her own flavor to the music, creating a cohesive thread in a cross cultural music exchange that holds jazz at its core. With Nilsson leading on flute, the band also features guitarist Brad Shepik (Seattle); tenor saxophonist Eric Trudel (Baltimore); bassist Yuka Tadano (Tokyo); and drummer Cody Rahn (San Francisco).
Listen to “Vårvindar Friska” here: Soundcloud
"Do you hear that sound from the Northern skies? It’s Elsa Nilsson with something new, passionate and beautiful to say with her flute and her pen. Check out her music and let her light your skies."
- Robert Dick, famed jazz flutist and mentor
“Elsa has a beautiful conception of music.” -Chris Potter, renowned jazz saxophonist
"I would've never thought that innocent face encompassed so much creativity" -Hubert Laws, award-winning jazz flutist
“Elsa's sound is strong and she is expanding horizons as a flutist.” -Jovino Santos Neto, Grammy nominated composer
“The CD is absolutely phenomenal. The writing, the soloing, the orchestration, is right on the money. But what makes the recording special is that it sounds like a real band. The choice of instruments and the orchestration is perfect.”
- Tony Moreno, acclaimed jazz drummer and NYU Faculty
