If you’re in the NYC area and are planning on venturing out to Judson Church in the Village with us on Friday night for Psychedelic Sangha’s latest iteration of their mind-expanding Bardo Bath events, you will be treated to (among many other wondrous things) the dreamy vibraphone magic of Brooklyn-based composer, Chris Dingman.

Known for his distinctive meditations on rich, delicate tones and serene, zen-inducing melodies, Dingman plays with the looseness of a great improviser and a daring adventurer of sound while also maintaining a masterful sense of control. While I may personally be a fan of ethereal solo vibraphone music in general, I could easily listen to Dingman play for hours, as his music can relax and heal your tired mind in ways that few other musicians can. This is likely why DIngman has played at so many Psychedelic Sangha events in recent memory. Here he is jamming with Garcia Peoples at the last Bardo Bath:

He has a handful of releases under his belt, but here are three that you can start with, if you’re new to Dingman and his music:

Journeys, Vol. 1

Journeys, Vol.1 is a great first intro to the vibraphonist’s work. With glassy tones bubbling up like soft pearls of air rising to the surface of a calm sea, this is perhaps the most perfect of Dingman’s albums to put on when you need to calm yourself down, or meditate or to just zone out to something truly beautiful.

Journeys, Vol. 2

As you might expect based on the name, there are some major similarities between this and the first Journeys release (which is never a bad thing, mind you), yet Dingman leans into more cosmic ambient territory here. This is especially true on the celestial “Transit,” with its eerie droning effects that Dingman created by rubbing bows across the edges of the bars of his instrument. This is something I witnessed him doing in person at the last Bardo Bath to great effect. It’s such a pleasingly uncanny sound.

Embrace

Joined by Linda May Han Oh on bass and Tim Keiper on drums, this 2020 album finds Dingman embracing a more full-on jazz direction. As a trio, the group weaves the most soothing, cool jazz this side of the Bill Evans Trio. While some tracks certainly edge into spiritual jazz territory, others, like the closing number, “Folly of Progress,” go way hotter and rhythmically. This is the kind of record that fans of Vince Guaraldi, Bobby Hutcherson and Harold Land could dig.

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard here and happen to be in Manhattan this Friday night, come to the Blotter Bath at Judson Church and hear Dingman play under a jaw-dropping immersive light show.