For Fulgencio Alarid Sanchez, who lit the path for me.

It’s a pleasure to write for people that I feel close to, and I wrote this music for Michaël Attias, Ben Goldberg, John Hébert, Thomas Heberer, Sam Ospovat, Chris Speed, Omar Tamez and Kenny Warren. The roles they played were much more than reading notes that I put down on paper, and I could not have realized this music without their dedication and artistry. I have deep gratitude and love for all these musicians.

This recording is a culmination of six years of writing, re-writing, rehearsals, concerts, van trips with the band and the love and support of friends and family. All the compositions are original except for “Lady of the Lavender Mist” by Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and “Tristeza” by Chilean composer Armando Carvajal (1893-1972). I have always loved the piece “Lady of the Lavender Mist.’ I fell in love with the melody, and it’s one of Ellington’s compositions that is harmonically a bit different from his other more well-known compositions. I discovered “Tristeza” in a book of piano pieces for children. “Tristeza” has a beautiful haunting melody that inspired me to expand it for this nonet.

The title Nighttime Creatures came out of my fascination of the night in the deep woods, where light seems to get eaten, as if it were in the center of a black hole. Hearing sounds of creatures I don’t recognize makes my imagination run wild. The night transforms the deep woods into an astral plane that is only accessed through complete and beautiful darkness. Music transports me to such places -a portal through the darkness to universes full of light.

– Angelica Sanchez

All compositions by Angelica Sanchez, Sancha Music/SESAC, except “Lady of the Lavender Mist” by Duke Ellington, and “Tristeza” by Armando Carvajal.

Recorded on August 21–22, 2021 at Oktaven Audio Engineered, mixed and mastered by Ryan Streber, Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon NY

Design and photography by Michael Dyer/Remake Band photo by Jamie Martinez

Gratitude and thanks to the band for their dedication, positive attitude and great playing. It’s an honor to make music with you. Special thanks to Michael Patrick Kelly for his friendship, support and for documenting the session; Suzanne Hayes for her friendship and being so wonderful; Marilyn Crispell for her friendship and someone who continues to inspire me; David Breskin for his generosity; Kris Davis for her constant support and friendship; Ryan Streber for his patience and amazing ears; Michael Dyer for the beautiful design; and Jamie Martinez for the great photos.

None of this would be possible without the love, light and support of my beautiful family, Olga, Margie, Joe, Marcy, Jack, Alexandra & Adriana.

angelicasanchez.com pyroclasticrecords.com © 2023 Angelica Sanchez / Pyroclastic Records

Pyroclastic has purchased carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon emissions associated with the production and distribution of this album.