Maquishti Patricia Brennan

• 1 Blame It 04:12
• 2 Solar 04:10
• 3 Improvisation VI 03:20
• 4 Sonnet 05:43
• 5 Episodes 05:26
• 6 Improvisation III 03:53
• 7 Magic Square 06:53
• 8 Improvisation VII 03:11
• 9 I Like For You To Be Still 06:21
• 10 Point Of No Return 04:26
• 11 Away From Us 04:12
• 12 Derrumbe De Turquesas 05:29
• Total Runtime 57:16

Info for Maquishti

Mexican born, New York-based vibraphonist, marimbist, improviser and composer Patricia Brennan has confirmed the release of her debut full length album Maquishti, January 15, 2021 on the Valley of Search label.

The twelve original instrumentals that make up the album were composed and performed solo by Brennan on vibraphone and marimba. Employing unusual performance techniques and occasional electronics, many of the compositions were borne from improvisations created live in the studio at the time of recording. At times exploring silence and space, stillness and patience the album investigates new sonic territories with an endless sense of curiosity.

“This album is a personal statement not only as a vibraphonist but also as an improviser and composer,” says Brennan. “From bowing and bending pitch, to the use of extended effects via guitar pedals, this album reflects my vision for the vibraphone and the potential of all the possible ways it can be played. I wanted to not only incorporate all those techniques in the compositions but also wanted them to become part of my general improvisatory language.”

Patricia has performed with many renown musicians including singer and composer Meredith Monk and Theo Bleckmann, saxophonists Jon Irabagon and Scott Robinson, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, drummer Marcus Gilmore, guitarist Mary Halvorson and many others. She has performed in venues such as Newport Jazz Festival, SF JAZZ, and Carnegie Hall, as well as international venues such as Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Germany, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City and Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Patricia Brennan, vibraphone, marimba

Recorded at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio, Queens, NY August 24 - 25, 2018
Engineered by Max Ross and Mike Marciano from Systems Two
Mixed and Mastered by Max Ross from Systems Two
Patricia Brennan uses her signature BlueHaus Mallets - blueha.us
Produced by Patricia Brennan
Executive Producer, Nabil Ayers

Patricia Brennan
Mexican born vibraphonist, marimbist, improviser and composer Patricia Brennan “has been widely feted as one of the instrument’s newer leaders.” observed The New York City Jazz Record. Patricia has won the rising star vibraphonist award from Downbeat magazine’s 70th (2022) and 72nd (2024) Critics Poll and was listed #4 vibraphonist of the year on the 71st (2023) & 72nd (2024) Critics Poll. Patricia was also recently named winner of the 2025 Vibraphonist of the Year award on the 73rd Annual Downbeat Critics Poll.

Patricia inherited a deep love and appreciation for musical tradition from both parents, as well as being exposed to the musical richness of her native Port of Veracruz in Mexico. She started studying music at 4 years old, playing latin percussion along salsa records with her father and listening to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin records with her mother. Also, around the same age, she started playing piano, influenced by her grandmother who was a concert pianist.

At the age of 17, Patricia was selected from musicians all over the Americas to be part of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. During this time, she toured every country in the Americas and performed with renowned musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma and Paquito D’Rivera. Before moving to the U. S., Patricia was already performing with the top symphony orchestras in Mexico, such as Xalapa Symphony Orchestra and Minería Symphony Orchestra. Also, she had already won several awards on marimba competitions and young artist competitions in Mexico and abroad and was featured in the “Líderes Mexicanos” magazine in 2003. In 2004, she was accepted at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she was able to perform alongside high caliber musicians from all over the world and conductors such as Simon Rattle and Charles Dutoit. She also performed with the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra and other acclaimed new music groups such as members from Eight Blackbird.

Patricia's search for freedom in her musical expression led her to find her voice through the vibraphone and mallet percussion in improvisational music and composition.

Patricia’s extensive sidewoman work includes the Grammy nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus, Matt Mitchell’s Phalanx Ambassadors, Mary Halvorson’s Amaryllis, Grammy winning Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Big Band, amongst other groups and collectives. She has also collaborated with pianist Vijay Iyer as a member of Blind Spot with writer Teju Cole, Iyer’s large ensemble project Open City and several small ensemble performances along with renowned musicians including bassist Reggie Workman and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. Patricia’s own projects include the solo project MAQUISHTI, MOCH - a collaborative duo with percussionist, drummer and turntablist Noel Brennan (Arktureye), MORE TOUCH - a quartet with Mauricio Herrera on percussion, Marcus Gilmore on drums, and Kim Cass on bass, the PATRICIA BRENNAN SEPTET which features the rhythm section from More Touch and adding Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Jon Irabagon on alto and sopranino saxophones and Mark Shim on tenor saxophone, TALAMANTI, a piano and mallet percussion duo with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and, OF THE NEAR AND FAR, a tentet comprised by a string quartet (Modney, Pala Garcia, Kyle Armbrust, Michael Nicolas), a jazz quintet (Miles Okazaki, Sylvie Courvoisier, Kim Cass, John Hollenbeck), and an electronic musician Arktureye. This ensemble is conducted by Eli Greenhoe.

Patricia has performed in venues such as Newport Jazz Festival, SF JAZZ, and Carnegie Hall, as well as international venues such as Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City and Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has also appeared on National Television, Public Radio, and the BBC radio show “Freeness” hosted by Corey Mwamba.

Patricia has appeared on numerous recordings from classical to improvised music, including an ECM recording with Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus called “The Distance” and a world premiere recording with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Christoph Eschenbach on Ondine Records. See Projects + Discography for full catalog.

Patricia’s acclaimed debut solo album “Maquishti”, released on Valley of Search, was listed #4 on The New York Times 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2021. Patricia’s sophomore album, “More Touch”, released in November 2022 on Pyroclastic Records received multiple accolades from critics. “More Touch” was included in several Best Jazz Albums of 2022 lists such as NPR Best Music of 2022, Bandcamp Best Jazz Albums of 2022 and PopMatters Best Jazz Albums of 2022. The opener track “Unquiet Respect”, from the record “More Touch”, was listed under NPR’s 100 Best Songs of 2022, a list featuring music from all genres and only including a handful of jazz artists. Patricia released her third album as a leader, “Breaking Stretch” featuring the Patricia Brennan Septet on September 6, 2024 on Pyroclastic Records. This septet record features master improvisers Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Jon Irabagon on alto and sopranino saxophones, Mark Shim on tenor saxophone, Kim Cass on bass, Marcus Gilmore on drums and Mauricio Herrera on percussion. “Breaking Stretch” received wide acclaim earning spots on multiple Best Jazz Albums of 2024 including The New York Times 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2024 and NPR 50 Best Albums of 2024 (across all genres of music). Also, the track “Five Suns” from Breaking Stretch” was listed on NPR’s 124 Best Songs of 2024, featuring music from all genres and only including a handful of jazz artists. Breaking Stretch was the 2025 winner of the Album Of the Year award on the 73rd Annual Downbeat Critics Poll. Patricia will be releasing her fourth record featuring her latest project OF THE NEAR AND FAR on October 24, 2025 on Pyroclastic Records. Also, Patricia recently recorded her duo project TALAMANTI with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier which is expected to be released in 2026.

Patricia Brennan is a Valley of Search artist, Pyroclastic Records artist, BlueHaus Mallets artist, and Audeze artist. Patricia is currently faculty at the Jazz Arts program at Manhattan School of Music, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and at the Jazz Studies program at NYU Steinhardt.

This album contains no booklet.