Visionary vibraphonist, marimbist, and composer Patricia Brennan returns with a stunning new album, Of The Near And Far, out October 24, 2025 on Pyroclastic Records. Drawing inspiration from the constellations and the vast universe beyond, Brennan crafts exhilarating compositions that blend jazz, classical, and alt-rock influences into a genre-defying experience.
For millennia, humanity has looked to the stars to tell stories and find meaning. Brennan continues this tradition, using the geometric shapes of constellations as a foundation for her music. “I became curious as to how I could translate that into music in the same way that I’ve translated numbers into rhythmic structures in the past,” she explains. On Of The Near And Far, she explores symmetry by superimposing astronomical shapes with musical structures, creating a unique harmonic and melodic language.
The album builds on the universal acclaim of her 2024 release Breaking Stretch, which received widespread praise from NPR Music, The New York Times, JazzTimes, and more. With Of The Near And Far, Brennan takes another bold step forward, assembling a ten-piece ensemble that marries jazz with contemporary chamber music. Joined by pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, guitarist Miles Okazaki, bassist Kim Cass, drummer John Hollenbeck, a string quartet, and electronic musician Arktureye, Brennan’s compositions weave intricate textures and vibrant improvisations.
Critics have hailed the album’s complexity and emotional depth. The New York Times praised her prior work as “challenging as it is danceable,” while NPR Music called her “a brilliant vibraphonist and composer rattling along the volatile edge of contemporary chamber music.” On Of The Near And Far, pieces like “Andromeda” evoke cosmic mythology and celestial phenomena, while “Antlia” reflects the mechanical precision of the air pump constellation. Throughout the album, Brennan balances cerebral compositional techniques with organic, instinctive melodies.
The album’s release will be celebrated with concerts at the Berlin Jazz Festival on November 1 and Roulette in New York City on December 1.
Brennan’s music is a journey bridging the near—her rich musical collaborations and classical training—with the far: the boundless mystery of the universe. “This is a way for me to try to make sense of the universe through my own world, which is music,” she says. “We’re all dust and matter that eventually goes back to the universe.”
No comments:
Post a Comment