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Brian Landrus

After 10 albums as a leader, multi-instrumentalist and composer Dr. Brian Landrus has become one of the most in demand low woodwind musicians on the planet. Landrus consistently places in the top five baritone saxophonists in the world though Downbeat and JazzTimes Critics polls in the last few years. Landrus’ 25- piece orchestral album Generations (2017), was named one of the best recordings of the year by NPR, Downbeat Magazine, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazziz, and many other international publications. The New York Times wrote “With Generations, Mr. Landrus takes the jazz big band tradition into the mesosphere.”

Landrus specializes on the low woodwind family, specifically: baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, alto flute, and bass flute. Although Landrus specializes on these low frequency beauties, he also plays all other saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. As a composer, Landrus has written for solo instrument, up to symphony orchestra.

Landrus’ 2020 release, For Now, was released on BlueLand Records on May 15, 2020. For Now features: Brian Landrus-bari sax, bass clarinet, alto and c flutes, Fred Hersch-piano, Drew Gress-bass, Billy Hart-drums, Mike Rodriguez-trumpet, Sara Caswell-violin, Joyce Hammann-violin, Lois Martin-viola, and Jody Redhage- Ferber-cello. It was produced by Dr. Bob Aldridge and Herschel Garfein. It was recorded and mixed in NYC by Chris Allen and John Kilgore. In its first week of release, For Now has already received over thirty glowing reviews from international press. Based in Brooklyn, Landrus founded his own label, BlueLand Records, in 2010. His first releases of all original music via BlueLand were Traverse (a quartet date with Lonnie Plaxico, Billy Hart and pianist Michael Cain) and Capsule (by the Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope, with Cain, guitarist Nir Felder, bassist Matthew Parish, drummer Rudy Royston). In 2013, Landrus released a second Kaleidoscope album, Mirage, featuring himself on baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet and bass flute alongside Felder, Royston, Plaxico on acoustic and electric bass, Frank Carlberg on Rhodes/piano and a string quartet led by violinist Mark Feldman. The New York Times praised Landrus and Mirage at length, pointing out that “the tenderness in his playing feels as warm and accessible as his writing.” Landrus’ 2015 release, The Deep Below, features Landrus on baritone and bass saxophones, bass clarinet, and bass flute, with Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. Landrus was voted #1 Rising Star Baritonist in Downbeat Magazine’s 2015 Critics Poll and The Deep Below has been called “A star vehicle” by The New York Times.

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Radio & Podcasts

Brian Landrus, George Russell and Others

Read "Brian Landrus, George Russell and Others" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


This show features different styles of jazz music, such as sleek large ensemble work from Brian Landrus and George Russell and trios led by Charles Lloyd, Jaki Byard and Frank Kimbrough. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Corey Wilkes & Abstrakt Pulse “Visionary of an Abstrakt" from Cries From Tha Ghetto (Pi) 00:58 Don Thompson “September" from Forgotten Memories ...

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Album Review

Brian Landrus: Red List

Read "Red List" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Saxophonist Brian Landrus created this project with a purpose summed up in its subtitle, Music Dedicated to the Preservation of our Endangered Species. The album was made to create awareness about all the animal species on Earth in danger of extinction, thirteen of which are explicitly referenced here. For most of these, such as the Malayan tiger and the snow leopard, only a few hundreds or thousands are still alive. For the Javan rhino, there were only 67 left at ...

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Album Review

Brian Landrus: Red List

Read "Red List" reviewed by Jack Bowers


No matter how one receives his music, there is no doubt that woodwind specialist Brian Landrus' heart is in the right place. Red List, his eleventh album as leader, is dedicated to the preservation of Earth's endangered animal species. Landrus names thirteen, at least five of which--the kakapo, Malayan tiger, gharial, vaquita and Javan rhino--are all but gone, with less than three hundred of each species remaining. In fact, it is estimated that only eight vaquitas (a species of porpoise ...

Album Review

Brian Landrus: Red List

Read "Red List" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


L'undicesimo disco di Brian Landrus è un progetto a difesa di tredici specie animali minacciate di estinzione. Vegetariano dell'età di 12 anni e poi vegano, il sassofonista di Reno (Nevada) ha sempre operato a sostegno del mondo animale. Per sua stessa ammissione è questa la passione della sua vita, assieme al jazz. L'anno scorso, dopo aver aperto una sottoscrizione su Gofundme.com, Brian ha raccolto un settetto base più ospiti, per registrare quindici nuove composizioni dedicate alle specie minacciate, ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Bill Evans, Brian Landrus & Joel A. Martin

Read "Bill Evans, Brian Landrus & Joel A. Martin" reviewed by Joe Dimino


We begin the 758th Episode of Neon Jazz with an innovator combining elements of jazz and classical into his new album Jazzical--Komitas Pass of Fire by pianist Joel A. Martin. New music from vocalist Michele Thomas, percussionist Ches Smith and bassist Chris Mondak are explored further. Minneapolis-based Larry McDonough pays tribut to pianist Bill Evans. Finally, we hear new music from reed player Brian Landrus on an album where proceeds help “save the elephants." Dig the jazz, my friends.

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Album Review

Brian Landrus, Fred Hersch, Drew Gress, Billy Hart: For Now

Read "For Now" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Due anni dopo il sontuoso progetto orchestrale pubblicato nell'album Generations (Blueland 2018) il compositore e multistrumentista allievo di Bob Brookmeyer, è tornato a incidere con un piccolo organico, aperto a suggestioni cameristiche (con l'aggiunta di un quartetto d'archi) o di taglio neo-bop (con il trombettista Michael Rodriguez). Quand'era adolescente Brian Landrus era una testa calda, il peggiore della scuola, sempre pronto a picchiarsi coi coetanei. Poi il jazz l'ha molto cambiato e risulta difficile crederlo oggi, di ...

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Year in Review

Doug Hall's Best Releases Of 2020

Read "Doug Hall's Best Releases Of 2020" reviewed by Doug Hall


An extraordinary time for musicians facing an unprecedented scale of impact on their lives and profession as artists. Nevertheless, for the listener, a range of incredible compositions were released in 2020 under these circumstances. I have highlighted just some of my favorites. However, truly, my support goes out to the whole jazz community, and may there be “light at the end of the tunnel" for all of us in 2021. Brian Landrus For Now BlueLand ...

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Website

All About Jazz Top 10 MP3 Downloads: July 2017

All About Jazz Top 10 MP3 Downloads: July 2017

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in July, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total downloads. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! EDITOR'S PICKS Jeru Concerto, Mvmt. 1 4:26 Brian Landrus From: Generations Battle Hymn of the Old Republic 6:00 ...

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Radio

Rockwired.com's All New Jazzed and Blue Podcast Features Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope, Kenny Love and Barbara Martin

Source: Rockwired Media LLC

The weekly online radio series Jazzed and Blue: Profiles in Blues and Jazz is back and is now available for download at Rockwired.com. Todays' edition is a best of retrospective featuring music and exclusive interviews with baritone saxophonist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaliedoscope, saxophonist Kenny Love and singer songwriter Barbara Martin. Brian Landrus is a once in a generation musician, and Capsule, the new album by his captivating electro-acoustic quintet The Landrus Kaleidoscope, offers a sonically expansive body of ...

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Recording

Brian Landrus/the Landrus Kaleidoscope - Capsule (2011)

Brian Landrus/the Landrus Kaleidoscope - Capsule (2011)

Source: Something Else!

Brian Landrus is one of the fast rising artists on the NYC jazz scene; so much so that it was only in 2009 his debut album Forward came out and now in 2011, we are here talking about his third release of 2011, Capsule. This master of the low instruments like the baritone sax, bass clarinet and bass flute, has a unique, natural sound for these instruments that never sound labored or forced. That's one of his unique attributes that ...

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Radio

Rockwired.Com's "Jazzed and Blue" Presents: Baritone Saxophonist and Bass Clarinetist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope and Their New CD "Capsule"

Source: Rockwired Media LLC

The latest edition of Jazzed and Blue: Profiles in Blues and Jazz is now available for download at Rockwired.com and features an exclusive interview with baritone saxophonist and bass clarinetist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope and their latest CD “Capsule." In the opening segment Landrus discusses the inspiration behind the buoyant sound featured on his adventurous CD, working with the electro-acoustic quintet The Landrus Kaleidoscope and the inspiration behind such choice cuts as Striped Phase, Like The Wind and ...

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Recording

Brain Landrus Wields the Baritone with Dexterity on "Traverse"

Brain Landrus Wields the Baritone with Dexterity on "Traverse"

Source: Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards

Brian Landrus is a new-ish voice on the baritone. He has one album out on Cadence Jazz. The new one Traverse is on his own BlueLand Records (2011A). It's a quartet date with the potent lineup of Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Michael Cain, piano, and the always swinging Billy Hart on the drums. It's a contemporary date with good blowing vehicles devised by Landrus himself or in collaboration with Michale Cain. The “Body and Soul" perennial rounds out the set. ...

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Recording

Brian Landrus - Traverse (Blue Land Records, 2011)

Brian Landrus - Traverse (Blue Land Records, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

I grew up listening to baritone saxophone hero Nick Brignola play all around the Capital District, so it's nice to hear a younger musician pick up the big horn and continue the tradition of swinging mainstream jazz. On this album, Brian Landrus plays baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, along with Michael Cain on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Billy Hart on drums. Opening with the title composition “Traverse," the music is a mellow quartet improvisation, swinging, with nicely controlled ...

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Recording

Baritone Saxophonist Brian Landrus Releases Powerful New CD "Traverse"

Baritone Saxophonist Brian Landrus Releases Powerful New CD "Traverse"

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

With pianist Michael Cain (piano and co-producer), bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Billy Hart “A poet who has a mastery of tone, something he explores with gravity and a very gentle swing... Landrus is a voice to watch out for as he charts a creative course in music." —Raul d'Gama Rose, All About Jazz Baritone Saxophone Rising Star —DownBeat Magazine 2010 International Critics Poll Brian Landrus is quickly becoming recognized as one of his generation's most unique, passionate, and powerful ...

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Recording

Brian Landrus - Forward (Cadence Jazz Records)

Brian Landrus - Forward (Cadence Jazz Records)

Source: Master of a Small House

Caliber of teacher is often a reliable gauge for quality of student. Evidence of the truth in that relational adage, reedist Brian Landrus came under the tutelage of a number of jazz luminaries over the course of his educational endeavors. Several of those able to join him on this debut recording include saxophonists George Garzone and Allan Chase, pianist Michael Cain, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Rakalam Bob Moses. Heavy company to be sure, but Landrus is well up to ...

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Recording

"Forward," the Debut Release by Brian Landrus Now Available on Cadence Jazz Records

"Forward," the Debut Release by Brian Landrus Now Available on Cadence Jazz Records

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

With George Garzone, Allan Chase, Jason Palmer, Michael Cain, John Lockwood, Bob Moses & Tupac Mantilla

“A rare and welcome thing. Keep your eyes and ears peeled-he is worth it." -- Bob Brookmeyer“The first time I heard Brian, I knew he was a real player. What he does is so natural and organic that it always sounded magical to me. I am a fan." -- Jerry BergonziMulti-instrumentalist Brian Landrus is quickly becoming known as one ...

“ A commanding voice on both baritone saxophone and bass clarinet” - WBGO, Nate Chinen

“A baritone saxophonist of convincing authority” - New York Times

“With baritone saxophone in hand, Landrus surfs swinging currents through “The Signs,” waltzes in step and style across “The Miss,” and engages in a spellbinding after-hours duologue with Hersch on Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear.” Wielding an alto flute on “The Night of Change,” he adopts an attractive glow-and- flow aesthetic.” - JazzTimes Magazine

“A composer of great strength and substance,” - All About Jazz “His bari flutters with utmost grace, his bass clarinet sobs for humanity and his alto flute floats cloud-like through moody skies

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Red List

Palmetto Records
2022

buy

Red List

Palmetto Records
2022

buy

For Now

BlueLand Records
2020

buy

Generations

BlueLand Records
2017

buy

The Deep Below

BlueLand Records
2015

buy

Mirage

BlueLand Records
2013

buy

Canopy of Trees

From: Red List
By Brian Landrus

The Miss

From: For Now
By Brian Landrus

Jeru Concerto, Mvmt. 1

From: Generations
By Brian Landrus

Fly

From: The Deep Below
By Brian Landrus

Videos

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