Chelsea Strings - Terry Pender: East of Chelsea (2025) Hi-Res

East of Chelsea showcases the mandolin's versatility across genres, from electronic music to jazz. The album's first half features mandolin arrangements of pieces by Aphex Twin, whose haunting minimalism echoes Erik Satie. The second half brings together Chelsea Strings ensemble members — jazz guitarist Félix Lemerle and bassist Thomas Hubbard — to perform swing classics by legends like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Keith Jarrett.

A seasoned composer and musician, Terry Pender's career spans contemporary multimedia works, jazz mandolin, and electronic music. His compositions have been performed worldwide, and his collaborations include digital art installations exhibited at Lincoln Center and the Sundance Film Festival. Holding a doctorate in composition from the University of Cincinnati, he also served as Associate Director of Columbia University's Computer Music Center. With East of Chelsea, Pender merges his diverse influences into a compelling and genre-defying musical journey.