Hillai Govreen

Hillai Govreen is a clarinetist, saxophonist and composer based in New York. Hillai’s upcoming album Every Other Now is a collaboration with bassist/composer Ben Meigners, and features some notable names of the NY music scene such as Steve Cardenas (guitar), Eric McPherson (drums), Café Da Silva (percussion) among others. The album is set to be released in August 2025 under the Fresh Sound label. This project is deeply personal and exploratory and draws from a wide range of influences and concepts. The group blends jazz traditions with modern textures, balancing structure and spontaneity, intimacy and abstraction.

“Something in my heart leapt, the first time I heard this music performed live. I was willing to respond to the new sound right away. I noticed others recognized that “this is new”. They sat on the edge of their seats, all keen on staying with it, giddy with anticipation that something great is about to go down. Listening, you catch a hint, a foreshadow from some “wild notes.” You hear someone say “oh shit, look out now.” Then the atmosphere on stage gets heavy, as someone begins to “stretch.”

– Mitch Borden