June 1, 2025New Album - Two Part Inventions!My latest recording, Two Part Inventions, with saxophonist Jon Irabagon is out today! It's currently available exclusively on Bandcamp. Click the link below to listen and purchase.READ MORE...
Bassist Peter Brendler grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He began his musical studies on electric bass, but soon gravitated towards the upright bass. In addition to playing upright and electric bass, Peter also plays guitar and piano. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2001 from Berklee College of Music where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at Berklee, Peter was selected by the bass faculty to receive the John Neves Scholarship: a merit based scholarship awarded to an upright bassist who shows outstanding promise and commitment. During his time at Berklee, Peter performed extensively throughout the Boston area, and studied with such greats as Hal Crook, John Lockwood, and Bruno Raberg. After completing his studies in Boston, Peter relocated to New York.
Peter returned to school from 2002-2004 and earned his Masters in Music from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. While at the Manhattan School of Music, Peter studied with famed bassist, Jay Anderson, as well as other musical luminaries such as Dave Liebman, Garry Dial, and Phil Markowitz. Peter balanced his academic work with an increasingly demanding performing and recording schedule. In the fifteen years that Peter has been in New York, he has made numerous sideman appearances on various recordings of all styles. He has also performed at several world famous venues in New York, and throughout the country including The Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Standard, Sweet Rhythm, The Kennedy Center and the 55 Bar. Peter has also performed throughout Europe and in Russia. He has performed and/or recorded with artists such as John Abercrombie, Rich Perry, Victor Lewis, Barry Altschul, Darren Barrett, Jeff Hirshfield, Frank Kimbrough and Jon Irabagon. Peter also maintains an active career performing and recording on electric bass. In addition to his sideman credits, Peter has also recorded three albums as a leader/co-leader: "The Angle Below" (Steeplechase), "Outside the Line" (Posi-Tone), and this most recent release "Message in Motion" (Posi-Tone).
Message in Motion Peter Brendler Quintet
My second album as a leader for Posi-Tone records. Official album release 7/15/16.
Rich Perry-Tenor
Peter Evans-Trumpet
Ben Monder-Guitar
Peter Brendler-Bass
Vinnie Sperrazza-Drums BUY CDiTunesAmazon
Outside the Line Peter Brendler Quartet
2014 My latest CD and debut album for Posi-Tone records! Available now through PayPal, and worldwide on April 15th, 2014.
Featuring:
Rich Perry (tenor sax)
Peter Evans (trumpet and piccolo trumpet)
Vinnie Sperrazza (drums)
Peter Brendler (bass and compositions) BUY CDiTunesAmazon
2010 Jon Irabagon-Tenor Sax
Peter Brendler-Bass
Barry Altschul-Drums iTunesAmazon
Remedy The Andrew Neff Quartet
2005 Andrew Neff-alto sax
Alex Smith-piano
Peter Brendler-Bass
Ben Cliness-drums
Passages The Jason Gaines Group
2005 Jason Gaines-trumpet
Rich Perry-tenor sax
Peter Brendler-bass
Vinnie Sperrazza-drums
Elevation The Josh Levinson Sextet
2009 Josh Levinson-trumpet
Kenny Shanker-tenor
Noah Bless-trombone
Mike Eckroth-piano
Peter Brendler-bass
Brian Fishler-drums
Daniel Bennet Daniel Bennett Group
2012 Daniel Bennett-Alto sacophone/flute
Mark Cocheo-Guitar
Peter Brendler-Bass
Tyson Stubelek-Drums
Open Window The Mike Cohen Quintet
2006 Mike Cohen-saxophones
Soren Moller-piano
Amanda Monaco-guitar
Peter Brendler-bass
Rich Huntley-drums
Come to "Message In Motion" with open ears and open mind; you will not be disappointed. The music that Peter Brendler creates with Rich Perry, Peter Evans, Vinnie Sperrazza, and Ben Monder is lively, thoughtful, playful, exciting, and smart. This fine album makes one wish to see and hear this group live.Richard B. KaminsStep Tempest read more
On his excellent debut outing for Positone, bassist Peter Brendler got arguably upstaged by the intrigue inherent to the frontline pairing of tenorist Rich Perry and trumpeter Peter Evans. With Message in Motion much of the novelty has worn off, replaced by a full embrace of the confidence that comes from two players who share an encyclopedic command of their respective instruments. Vinnie Sperrazza returns on drums and Brendler also taps guitarist Ben Monder to bolster the band to quintet size. Brendler leads with his usual blend of instrumental prowess and careful consideration toward crafting collaborative surroundings that stress his colleagues’ strengths.Derek TaylorDusted Magazine read more
New York bassist Peter Brendler has been a rising figure in the city's jazz mainstream for the past decade or so. He recently released Message in Motion (Posi-Tone), his second album as a leader (not counting a 2013 duo recording with guitarist John Abercrombie, The Angle Below). It's another knockout, working solidly within postbop orthodoxy while pushing against its strictures, thanks largely to the strong players with whom the bassist surrounds himself— and none contribute more powerfully than trumpeter Peter Evans. In fact, it's Evans who pretty much transforms the album from a strong postbop session into a recording that's stunned me—when I listen to it, I alternate between laughing at the trumpeter's nonchalant audacity and falling speechless at his ability to work inside the tradition, leaving it a sere husk in his wake.Peter MargasakChicago Reader read more
By at once going inside and outside, as well as respecting tradition and racing toward the frontier, Peter Brendler makes his long overdue first album well worth waiting for.S. Victor AaronSomething Else Reviews read more
One of the most impressive features of The Angle Below is the way in which the interplay between Brendler and Abercrombie develops within each tune. There are unison passages but for the most part the two musicians work as a lead and rhythm duo. While that might suggest a traditional partnership with the guitar taking on the melody and the bass establishing a rhythmic foundation this collaboration finds both men moving between the two. Abercrombie's "Jazz Folk" is an especially fine example of this interplay, but it's a common motif across the album. The switches between roles are achieved so smoothly that it takes a few seconds to realize that they've happened, a testament to the relationship that the players have on this beautifully-recorded and rewarding album.Bruce LindsayAll About Jazz
...But leadership skills are not a function of age or, frankly, experience; instead a musician either has that balanced mix of assertiveness and trust or they don’t. A bit of outside-the-box thinking doesn’t hurt either. For the quartet he presented at Cornelia Street Café (Mar. 7th), bassist Peter Brendler’s masterstroke was his choice of frontline: trumpeter Peter Evans and saxophonist Rich Perry are both hot stuff in their respective ‘worlds’ but also versatile and responsive, the former a piquant foil to the latter’s creamier playing. But it’s not enough to bring people together. Brendler also wrote all the tunes, a heady mix of bop, whether the be-, post- or free varieties, delivered with a looseness resulting from a nice hookup with drummer Vinnie Sperrazza.Andrey HenkinNew York City Jazz Record
Bassist Peter Brendler is the album's unsung hero; without his subtly shifting bass lines anchoring the sound, and navigating the changes in tempo and rhythm, the performance would never scale the heights it does. It's Brendler, in particular, who makes "Unorthodoxy" swing.Bruce Lindsay,All About Jazz
Peter Brendler’s recent projects include an austere collection of duets with guitarist John Abercrombie and a couple of wild and wooly albums with intrepid saxophonist Jon Irabagon. That broad spectrum made it difficult to guess how the young bassist would shape his debut as a bandleader. Outside the Line answers the question with a two-horn quartet sans piano or guitar.
Normally it’s bad news for a leader-composer when the covers are all better than the originals. But here it is less a problem with the new material and more the virtue of Brendler’s shrewd choices and the quartet’s inspired renditions. Chet Baker’s “Freeway,” most notably performed with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, was one of the more frenetic songs in the cool-jazz school, and Brendler’s similarly instrumented group embarks on a spirited ride with tenor saxophonist Rich Perry and trumpeter Peter Evans pushing the pace both solo and in tandem. The moment you hear Brendler plunk out the iconic bassline of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” against the brushed shuffle-beats from drummer Vinnie Sperrazza, you wonder why the piece isn’t a jazz standard by now. Evans and Perry both take pleasant rubato turns with the melody and refrain. Last but never least is the foursquare boldness of Ornette Coleman’s “Una Muy Bonita,” with the strutting horns and strumming rhythm section at high alert on parallel planes.
Brendler’s nine originals provide a fair bit of variety against the challenge of writing for a chordless ensemble. They range from the vintage, Bird-esque bebop of “Pharmacology” to the splayed semi-free improvisations comprising “Openhanded.” In the end, Outside the Line may not be as daring as its title implies, but there is a hunger and diligence that keeps the music taut.Britt RobsonJazzTimes read more
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, June 11, 2025Freedom to Listen TourBerlinMinneapolis, MN 55401Peter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info...tickets... view map
Thursday, June 12, 2025Freedom to Listen TourHoliday AcresRhinelander, WIPeter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info... view map
Friday, June 13, 2025Freedom to Listen TourSugar MapleMilwaukee, WIPeter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info... view map
Saturday, June 14, 2025Freedom to Listen TourNorth Street CabaretMadison, WI 53704Peter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Zach Lapidus - piano/synths
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info...tickets... view map
Tuesday, June 17, 2025Freedom to Listen TourThe Jazz KitchenIndianapolis, INPeter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Zach Lapidus - piano/synths
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info...tickets... view map
Wednesday, June 18, 2025Freedom to Listen TourMerrimans’ PlayhouseSouth Bend, INPeter Brendler - bass
Jon Irabagon - saxophone
Zach Lapidus - piano/synths
Mark Ferber - drumsmore info...tickets... view map
Past Events
Wednesday, January 30, 2019Peter Brendler QunitetSmallsw/Rich Perry, Billy Drewes, Zach Lapidus and Mark Ferbermore info...
Thursday, August 16, 2018John Yao QuintetBirdlandmore info...
Wednesday, August 15, 2018Adam Hutcheson GroupThe Kitanomore info...
Thursday, August 2, 2018Adam Smale tour 8/2-8/11more info...
Sunday, July 29, 2018Tom Tallitsch GroupThe 55 Barmore info...
Friday, July 27, 2018New FacesThe Side DoorOld Lyme, CTw/Roxy Coss, Josh Lawrence, Behn Gillece, Theo Hill and Vinnnie Sperrazza
Wednesday, July 25, 2018New FacesThe Jazz StandardNY, NYw/Roxy Coss, Josh Lawrence, Behn Gillece, Theo Hill and Vinnnie Sperrazza
Tuesday, July 24, 2018Christine Tobin TrioThe 55 Barmore info...
Sunday, July 22, 2018Phil Robson TrioThe 55 Barmore info...
Friday, July 20, 2018Jane Irving TrioWinnie's Jazz Barmore info...
Thursday, July 19, 2018Peter Furlan SextetThe Hopper Housemore info...
Thursday, July 12, 2018Peter Brendler QuartetCornelia Street CafeNY, NY
Wednesday, June 20, 2018New FacesSouthPhiladelphia, PAw/Roxy Coss, Josh Lawrence, Behn Gillece, Theo Hill and Vinnnie Sperrazza
Thursday, June 14, 2018New FacesNew Brunswick, NJ
Wednesday, January 10, 2018Peter Brendler QuartetMinton's PlayhouseJon Irabagon-Tenor
Zach Lapidus-Piano
Billy Drummond-Drumsmore info...
Saturday, July 8, 2017Peter Brendler GroupCornelia Street CafeNew York, NY
Monday, June 26, 2017Paul Wells TrioHIllstone
Thursday, June 22, 2017Alejandro Aviles QuartetThe Jazz LoftStony Brook, NY
Tuesday, June 20, 2017Torrey Newhart SeptetShapeshifter LabBrooklyn, NY
Sunday, June 18, 2017Peter Brendler GroupThe Jazz StandardNew York, NYWith:
Jon Irabagon-sax
Zach Lapidus-piano
Kush Abadey-drumsmore info...
Thursday, March 30, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, March 29, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Thursday, March 23, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, March 22, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Thursday, March 16, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, March 15, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Friday, March 10, 2017Peter Brendler QuartetCornelia St. CafeNew York, NYPeter Brendler-bass
Walt Weiskoph-saxophones
Zach Lapidus-piano
Billy Drummond-drumsmore info...
Thursday, March 9, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, March 8, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Thursday, March 2, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, March 1, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Thursday, February 23, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, February 22, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Sunday, February 19, 2017Noah Haidu QuartetAn Die MusikBaltimore, MD
Friday, February 17, 2017Josh Deutsch SextetTerraza 7Queens, NY
Thursday, February 16, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetWinnie's Jazz BarNew York, NY
Wednesday, February 15, 2017Andromeda Turre QuartetThe KnickerbockerNew York, NY
Tuesday, February 14, 2017Kristen Lee SergeantGotham Bar & GrillNY, NY
Friday, September 2, 2016Peter Brendler QuartetThe Corelia St. CafePeter Brendler-Bass and Compositions
RIch Perry-Tenor
Ben Monder-Guitar
Vinnie Sperrazza-Drumsmore info...
Saturday, July 16, 2016"Message in Motion" Album Release Concert!The Cornelia Street CafePeter Brendler-Bass and Compositions
RIch Perry-Tenor
Ben Monder-Guitar
Vinnie Sperrazza-Drumsmore info...
Wednesday, June 22, 2016Trio w/Jon Davis and Mark FerberThe Djangomore info...
Saturday, October 10, 2015Toronto Quartet ShowsThe RexToronto, ON M5V 1Z1, Canadamore info...
Friday, October 9, 2015Toronto Quartet ShowsUniversity of Toronto
Thursday, October 8, 2015Toronto Quartet ShowsArray MusicToronto, ON M6J 3W3, Canadamore info...
Wednesday, October 7, 2015Toronto Quartet ShowsHumber University
Thursday, September 3, 2015Peter Brendler QuartetCornelia St. CafeNY, NYw/Special guest Ben Monder-guitar
Rich Perry-tenor
Vinnie Sperrazza-drumsmore info...
Tuesday, June 2, 2015Peter Brendler/Vinnie Sperrazza QuartetCornelia Street CafeNY, NYfeaturing Jon Davis (piano) and Michael Attias (sax)more info...
Sunday, March 8, 2015Peter Brendler Quartet (w/Rich Perry, Peter Evans and Vinnie SpeWhynot Jazz RoomNew York, NYmore info...
Saturday, April 26, 2014Peter Brendler QuartetQueens Jazz Fest at Flushing Town HallFlushing, NY 11354w/Jon Irabagon, Josh Deutsch and Vinnie Sperrazzamore info...
Tuesday, April 15, 2014"Outside the Line" CD release show!Cornelia Street CafeNew York, NY 10014Featuring Rich Perry-tenor, Peter Evans-trumpet and Vinnie Sperrazza-drumsmore info...
August 30, 2013Jon Irabagon TrioThe Bar Next DoorNY, NYw/Jon Irabagon-sax & Tom Rainey-drums
August 1, 2013John Arrucci QuartetCity Center Concert SeriesWhite Plains, NYw/Luke Franco-guitar, John Arruci-drums, Marc Mommaas-sax
December 1, 2012Ayana Lowe Group55 barmore info...
November 29, 2012Dan Willis GroupBirdlandDan Willis-Sax w/Pete McCann-guitar, Ron Oswanski-piano, Peter Brendler-bass and John Mettam-drumsmore info...
November 28, 2012Nate Birkey Quartet55 BarNate Birkey Trumpet w/Jim Ridl-keys, Peter Brendler-bass and Ignacio Berroa-drumsmore info...
November 27, 2012Peter Brendler QuartetCornlia Street CafeNY, NYw/Peter Evans (tpt), Rich Perry (ts) and Vinnie Sperrazza (dms)more info...
October 13, 2012Jon Irabagon TrioLa Lanterna-Bar Next DoorNY, NYmore info...
October 11, 2012Liam Sillery GroupSomethin' JazzNY, NYmore info...
September 17, 2012The StablehouseSeth Trachy GroupBrooklyn, NYmore info...
September 15, 2012Tom Tallitsch GroupSmallsNY, NYmore info...
September 12, 2012The John Mcneil/Mike Fahie GroupThe Tea LoungeBrooklyn, NYmore info...
Thursday, April 5th, 2012The Tony "Thunder" Smith GroupBerklee Perfromance CenterBoston, MAmore info...
Thursday, January 20th, 2011The Mahavishnu ProjectThe IridiumNY, NYmore info...
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011Nate Smith GroupCornelia Street CafeNY, NYmore info...
Thursday, December 30th, 2010w/Adam Kromelow, Jon Irabagon & Gregg BendianThe Willmette Librarymore info...
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010w/Adam Kromelow, Jon Irabagon & Gregg BendianThe Skokie TheaterSkokie, ILmore info...
Monday, December 27th, 2010w/Reb Beach of Warrant!The IridiumNY, NYmore info...
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010Guillaume LaurentJules BistroNY, NYmore info...
Monday, December 20th, 2010Jon Irabagon TrioUniversity Of The StreetsNY, NYmore info...
Monday, December 19th, 2010The Ben Cliness TrioThe GarageNY, NYmore info...
Wednesday. December 18th, 2010Tom Tallitsch QuartetCafe VivaldiCaffe VivaldiNY, NYmore info...
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Guillaume Laurent TrioJules BistroNY, NYmore info...
Friday, December 12th, 2010Guillaume Laurent TrioJules BistroNY, NYmore info...
Thursday, December 9th, 2010Omar Haddad TrioThe ShrineNY, NYmore info...
Sunday, October 31st, 2010Jack Donahue GroupThe Blue NoteNY, NYmore info...
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010Josh Deutsch GroupThe University Of The StreetsNY, NYmore info...
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010Christian Coleman TrioLIC BarLIC, NYmore info...
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010w/Adam Cromelow, Jon Irabagon & Gregg BendianCafe VivaldiNY, NYmore info...
Saturday, October 4th, 2010The Mahavishnu ProjectRockn JoeKendall Park, NJmore info...
Thursday, September 16th, 2010The Mahavishnu ProjectThe ReggatabarCambridge, MAmore info...
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010The Jon Irabagon TrioCornelia Street CafeNew York, NYwith Jon Irabagon-tenor & Barry Altschul-drumsmore info...
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010Amanda Monaco QuartetThe GantriesLIC, NYmore info...
Friday, August 13th, 2010with The Jon Irabagon GroupFat CatNew York, NYwith Jon Irabagon-saxophones, tba-piano & Jeff Hirshfield-drumsmore info...
Saturday, July 31st, 2010Collective LanguageThe Bean RunnerPeekskill, NYmore info...
Friday, July 30th, 2010Collective LanguageThe Hawaiian Tropic Zonewith Jon Irabagon-saxophones, Gregg Bendian-drums and Zach Brock-violinmore info...
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010The Peter Brendler TrioCornelia St. CaféNew York, NYfeaturing Rich Perry-tenor & Jeff Davis-drumsmore info...
Friday, July 9th, 2010Hadar OrshalimyThe Bitter EndNew York, NYmore info...
Monday, July 5th, 2010The Ben Cliness QuartetThe GarageNY, NYmore info...
Sunday, June 20th, 2010with The Mahavishnu ProjectThe Keswick TheatreGlenside, PAwith Glenn Alexander guitar, Zach Brock-violin, Neil Alexander-keyboards & Gregg Bendian-drums
Thursday, January 6th, 2010w/Adam Kromelow, Jon Irabagon & Gregg BendianThe IridiumNY, NYmore info...
Friday, October 30th, 2009with The Jon Irabagon GroupThe Kennedy CenterWashington D.C.with Jon Irabagon-saxophones, Frank Kimbrough-piano & Victor Lewis-drumsmore info...
Sunday, July 27th, 2008with The John Abercrombie TrioRiverspace CaféNyack, NYwith John Abercrombie-guitar & Bob Meyer-drumsmore info...
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