Phyllis Chen -Hamir Atwal -Zach Layton: ENNEADS

An immersive sonic experience featuring amplified piano, 17-string bass, and drums, Enneads occupies an unusual space between contemporary chamber music, electroacoustic improvisation, experimental jazz, and the immense physical weight of doom metal.

Named after the writings of the Neoplatonic philosopher Plotinus, the trio’s debut album approaches improvisation through the ancient Pythagorean idea that harmony is “number made audible,” allowing harmonic overtones, sympathetic vibration, and ever-shifting rhythmic proportions to shape the music.

Phyllis Chen is a Guggenheim Fellow, composer, pianist, and sound artist whose work explores resonance, materiality, and the tactile relationship between object and sound. Hamir Atwal is a drummer, improviser, and educator whose work bridges contemporary composition, jazz, and experimental music. Zach Layton is a composer, improviser, curator, and educator known for his work with psychoacoustics, alternate tuning systems, and spatial sound.

Centered around Layton’s rare 17-string electric bass, amplified piano, and expansive percussion, Enneads creates a sound world where acoustic resonance becomes the primary compositional material. The debut album is scheduled for release on August 29, 2026, through Birdwatcher Records and digital platforms.