Esthema's music is a fusion of sounds from different cultures and genres. Elements taken from the musical traditions of Eastern European/Balkan and Near/Middle Eastern music are intertwined with Progressive Rock and Jazz to create the sounds of a World Fusion Ensemble. The five musicians that shape the sound of Esthema bring together both Western and Eastern instruments to form a unique blend. Bouzouki, Oud, Doumbek, and Violin color the compositions with their beautifully Eastern tone while Guitar, Bass, and Drums elicit the many Western influences that shape the sound of Esthema.

The members of Esthema bring together lifetimes of education and experience. Onur Dilisen (violin) was born, raised, and began his studies in Turkey and is currently in the Master's violin performance program at the Boston Conservatory. Tery Lemanis (oud/bouzouki), a graduate from Berklee College of Music's guitar performance program has studied Bouzouki, Oud, and Byzantine music in Greece as part of Berklee's exchange program. Carl Sorensen (drums/doumbek), whose experience is steeped in the drum corps idiom and is currently enrolled in Berklee's performance program, has lived in parts of Europe, Thailand, and Myanmar. Ignacio Long (bass), born in Patagonia, Argentina, has studied in Buenos Aires, New York, and Boston, where he concentrated in Composition and Film Score at Berklee College of Music. Ignacio graduated in 2007. Andy Milas (guitar) has been performing traditional and contemporary Greek music for over a decade throughout New England. He has also written and arranged for Progressive Rock, Greek, New Age, and Jazz musical projects that he has been a part of. As people, the individuals in Esthema come from very different places with very different experiences. As musicians, they bring those places and experiences together into one musical setting.

Esthema's collaboration can be experienced on their first CD, APART FROM THE REST. The six compositions that make up the CD were written by Andy Milas and arranged by the entire ensemble. Throughout, you will hear the elements of Eastern and Western music: Western Jazz improvisation and Eastern Taxims, Latin Samba and Eastern Kasilama, Western modes such as Aeolian and Phrygian and Eastern Scales/Maqams like Hijaz, Sabah, and Niavent. All boundaries were erased in the creation of this music to allow the worlds to collide and become one. The music is a true synergy of Eastern and Western musical elements.

Since early spring 2007, Esthema has been performing throughout the Boston area. In September they had their first performance in New York City and in the winter/spring of 2008 they are expanding into new areas of New England. Here are just a couple of things that have been said about Esthema's APART FROM THE REST:

"a truly exciting instrumental record, which should appeal to musical adventurers everywhere."
- Rob Forbes, Leicester Bangs

"a seamless blend of Eastern and Western motifs: Ethnic scales and meters intertwine delightfully with jazz-rock drums and bass beneath jazzy improv and winding melodies."
- John Collinge, Progression

With the first recording completed and available for purchase, Esthema looks forward to 2008 to continue performing, release a new CD in the fall, and to expand their domestic and international fan base. Esthema believes that their sound can be taken cross-genre: Jazz, New Age, World, Acoustic, and even Progressive Rock and that no listener is out of reach.