Album recognized across jazz, world music, video, and design categories
Albuquerque, NM — April 2026 — Deep Energy Orchestra has received six nominations at the 39th Annual New Mexico Music Awards for their critically acclaimed third album, The Science of Sound (7D Media, October 24, 2025). The nominations span an exceptionally broad range of categories, recognizing the album's musical ambition, visual presentation, and genre-crossing reach. The awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque.
The nominated categories are:
- Best Jazz Album — The Science of Sound
- Best Jazz Song — "Captain Quirk"
- Best Instrumental Performance — "Captain Quirk"
- World Song — "Dance of the Woodnymphs"
- Best Video — "Stargazing" (video produced by Jeff Hellerman)
- Best Album Design — A.J. Chippero, album designer
"The Science of Sound is about exploring how sound can communicate across genres, cultures, and traditions," says Deep Energy Orchestra founder, composer, and bassist Jason Everett. "It's a collaborative work that honors the strengths of every artist involved, while serving a larger musical vision."
The Science of Sound is the third release from Deep Energy Orchestra, following the ensemble's acclaimed albums Playing With Fire (2018) and The Return (2020). The album brings together an extraordinary international cast of musicians, blending Indian classical rhythms, progressive rock, jazz, funk, and orchestral textures into a cohesive and immersive eight-track journey.
The album features an exceptional roster of special guests, including Joe Deninzon (electric violinist of Kansas); Gary Husband, legendary jazz fusion keyboardist and drummer known for his work with John McLaughlin and Allan Holdsworth; Trey Gunn, Warr guitarist and longtime member of King Crimson; Adam Holzman, former keyboardist for Miles Davis; V. Selvaganesh, the celebrated Indian percussionist of Shakti and Masters of Percussion; and Mark Lettieri of Snarky Puppy. Additional contributors include U. Rajesh, Mahesh Vinayakram, Radhika Iyer, John Wubbenhorst, Eric "Doc" Smith, Ann Lindquist, Jimmy Thomas, Ganesh Kumar, and a string section featuring Rachel Nesvig (violin), Brianna Atwell (viola), and Phil Hirschi (cello).
The album was produced and arranged by Jason Everett, with engineering, mixing, and mastering by Associate Producer Don Gunn (Soundgarden, Peter Frampton). The striking album artwork — itself nominated for Best Album Design — was created by A.J. Chippero.
From label to artist, The Science of Sound is a true New Mexico project: 7D Media is headquartered in Santa Fe, and Deep Energy Orchestra calls the Land of Enchantment home, making the ensemble's six nominations a point of pride for the state's music community.
The Science of Sound is available now on CD and digital download at 7dmedia.com and all major streaming platforms.
About Deep Energy Orchestra Deep Energy Orchestra is led by composer, producer, and bassist Jason Everett (aka Mister E), based in New Mexico. The ensemble is dedicated to ambitious, genre-defying musical collaboration that brings together world-class musicians from across the globe. The Science of Sound is their third album, released on 7D Media, headquartered in Santa Fe, NM.
