Composer Patricia Brennan hails from Mexico but is now firmly a part of the New York jazz scene. Playing vibraphone and marimba, Brennan has been in demand as a contributor to both jazz and classical recordings, but it is the work with as a leader that has found her as “widely feted as one of the instrument’s newer leaders.” (The New York City Jazz Record)

Her journey started at age four when she first began her percussion studies, playing along with her father’s salsa records. From her mother, she learned a deep appreciation for rock music, listening to Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Her grandmother, a classical concert pianist, inspired her to learn piano as well. Crossing genre boundaries began early, and she hasn’t shied away from it with her own projects. She can move from Latin traditions to free jazz effortlessly.

At age 17, she became a member of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, touring extensively throughout the two continents. Guest appearances with Yo-Yo Ma and Paquito D’Rivera and stints in two Mexican orchestras led to acceptance to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 2004. Her work with Mary Halvorson, John Hollenbeck, Michael Formanek, Arturo O’Farrill, and many others kept her busy.

Finally releasing her first album as a leader, Maquishti, Brennan founded herself on The New York Times Best Jazz Albums list for 2021. Her follow-up, More Touch, landed on best of 2022 rolls from NPR, Bandcamp, and Pop Matters, and she earned DownBeat’s rising star vibraphonist award. Her most recent record, Breaking Stretch, is another triumph, hitting many year-end polls for top jazz recordings and a spot on DownBeat’s 2024 Critics Poll. She has wrapped up a new duo project with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, Talamanti, expected later this year.

THE JAZZ CAFE

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