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“Pulses interrogates freedom in America via free playing and free interpretation of Angelou’s seminal poem. Against a backdrop of political disorientation, Nilsson’s quartet attempts this ambitious project by combining hope with hard work. that spirit is a prerequisite for the change they seek. And this album offers a fresh comment on the path ahead.” - Matty Bannond New York Jazz Record
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“This music is meant to open us up, like a can of truth, and spill over into the ever-after, onto the rock, and soak into the roots of the tree.” Dee Dee McNeil - Musical Memoirs
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"This is (without question) the best spoken-word/jazz album I’ve heard in many, MANY years" Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
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“With Pulses, the versatile, Brooklyn-based jazz artist Elsa Nilsson shows herself to be as much visionary as flutist.” Ron Schepper, editor of Textura
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“This a passionate, poetic reflection on America, its problems, its future and the future of humanity as a whole.” Leonid Auskern at Jazz quad
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“the album highlights the subtle melodic development and deep groove in Dr. Maya Angelou’s reading of her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” bringing to light the full depth of her sonic and poetic brilliance.” - Matt Micucci for Jazziz
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“… it’s original, heartfelt, reaching, and it sure isn’t the same old thing.” Allen Michie at Medium
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“Nilsson’s music emphasizes interconnectedness – between nature and humanity and between the voice, the word, and her playing. This music acts as an agent to bond, heal, and make the universe a little bigger.” James Koblin, The Necessary Blues
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“To have someone of Nilsson’s talent and pedigree as a composer, performer and educator performing locally is a boon.” Cesareo Garasa, The Bakersfield Californian
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“Pulses follows in the footsteps of these great contemporary works by marrying music and the spoken word in impeccable fashion.” Chloe Rabinowitz at Broadway World
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“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." For Esthesis Quartet from Michael Roberts at Jazziz
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“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.” For Esthesis Quartet from Caravan Jazz by Rudy
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“Nilsson is an ever-adventurous player doing her part to further promote flute as a lead instrument in jazz.” Ron Schepper, Textura
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“With the front line being occupied by a flutist, one might have assumptions about the actual sound the band produces. That assumption would likely be wrong. Swedish born, New York based flutist Elsa Nilsson has a habit of creating a large sound that eludes such assumptions, playing with tremendous strength and a broad, rich tonality. Her work has gained her recognition not only as one of the bright lights of her instrument in modern jazz, but as a composer and improviser at large, regardless of what instrument she plays.” Paul Rauch All About Jazz
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Atlas Of Sound: “It’s as close as you’ll get to being there without actually being there, and it’s yet another intriguing project from Nilsson that touches upon themes of experience, memory, and interconnectedness.” Dave Sumner “The Best Jazz On Bandcamp, April 2022”
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Jazziz travel podcast for Atlas Of Sound
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Interview with Heather Shelton at the Times Standard
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“captivate me with their creativity, tempo changes and mood swings.” - Dee Dee McNeil Musical Memoirs
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“Her immersion into the settings has resulted in music of quiet grandeur, and the impression produced by the music is of nature speaking through an artist attuned to its spirit.” Ron Schepper Textura
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“An excellent starting point for the poetic artist, there’s a nature-esque theme running beneath these tracks” - Take Effect Reviews
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“… gentle, melodic, often and appropriately imbued with a sense of loss.” - Andy Robson Jazzwise
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“The simultaneous influences of traditional folk and modern jazz combine, creating a kind of timeless quality.” - Dave Sumner Bandcamp Jazz For The Holidays
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“Talent wise, she is the logical choice to provide a needed next step for her instrument in the world of jazz and improvised music. She has shown that outside of the music itself, she is an important voice for social justice, as well as innovation in form. Along the way, she lays to waste preconceptions often attached to her instrument. After all, it is she, not the instrument, that is expressing beauty in turbulent and epic times.” - Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
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On SXNE “for human beings”: “Long passages of contemplative thought lead to irrepressible antics, and that ebb and flow is why pieces that run as long as 30 minutes seem to fly by.” -Dave Sumner, Bandcamp
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South By North East as June 2020 editors pick“This latest effort, though, exerts Nilsson’s mercurial skills as a musical marauder with as many interests as skills to deploy her ideas.” - Dave Cantor, Downbeat Magazine (South By North East as June 2020 editors pick)
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Jazziz - write up for South By North East for human beings release.
Jazziz Track By Track for Hindsight
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“Protest music's association with folk is easy to understand when song lyrics offer a direct conduit for social and political commentary. Yet one need look no further than John Coltrane's “Alabama” to see that instrumental music can be protest music, too, and an equally compelling album-long argument supporting that contention is Elsa Nilsson's Hindsight.“ - Ron Schepper, Textura
“Make no mistake: sophisticated instrumental music it is, but it's infused with rock'n' roll energy and swagger; by any measure, Hindsight is a major addition to Nilsson's discography.” - Ron Schepper, Textura ten questions
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“Nilsson’s wary, often raging melodies and relentless gallows humor pack a mighty wallop, speaking truth to power run amok.” - Delarue, New York Music Daily
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“Attentive listeners, though, will be rewarded with their subtle variations on the jazz idiom and the splendor of their playing” - Robert Ham, Downbeat Magazine
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“She dares to express human emotion as one, tied together as an elemental force.” - Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
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"One of the most dynamic bandleaders in the New York jazz scene." - Nick Dunston, Hot House Jazz Magazine
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“After Us is a collection of stunning pieces, the synergy between Nilsson and Cowherd is breathtaking.” - Jeff Becker Jazz Sensibilities
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"Elsa has a beautiful conception of melody and music." - Chris Potter, Renowned Saxophonist
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“Stellar performances with subtle and heartfelt writing is a winning combination.” - Steven Miller Sound In Review
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"(Salt Wind) is skillfully executed in all ways, well formulated with a clear vision" - Peter Sjöblom, Mono Magazine
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"A genuinely personal and original album" - Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan
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"With an under current of healing music running through it that you don't realize is not only good but good for you, this sprightly, winning set goes the distance with gas to spare." - Midwest Record
Radio
Elsa Nilsson’s Hindsight enjoyed 8 weeks on the NACC Top 30 Jazz Chart, breaking into the top 5. A ten-track collection of resistance compositions, embedded with the rhythmic chants of a nation. Her message also resonated with the RMR Top 50 Jazz Chart, enjoying 12 weeks, with a peak point of #2. This distinctly modern jazz outing electrified the airwaves with its powerful message.
Talking Flutes Extra: Elsa Nilsson and Jean-Paul Wright discusses Nilsson’s release of Hindsight
Talking Flutes Extra: 2019 NFA convention hosted by Eftihia Arkoudis
Talking Flutes Extra: Elsa Nilsson and Jean-Paul Wright discuss Nilsson’s book “Between The Beats”
Talking Flutes Extra: Elsa Nilsson and Jean-Paul Wright discuss music and life.
February 16th, 2017, Live interview on “Boogie Wonderland” with Nick Davies. Radio Winchcombe, UK
December 3rd, 2015, Live Radio interview on “Out To Lunch” WKCR 98.9 FM New York
November 28th, 2014, WBKM Burlington, VT.
August 23rd, 2013, Recording of live interview for Nordic Roots and Branches
July 9th, 2011, Nordic Roots and Branches
Airplay for After Us
Charting on North American College and Community Chart from October 2nd until January 8th peaking at 9th place
Charting on Roots Music Report October 6th until January 26th peaking at 10th place
Airplay for Salt Wind
A Broad Spectrum WFDU
Jazz And Blues Tour, Netherlands