Born: June 29, 1981 Primary Instrument: Drums
Brian Menendez can be heard in clubs and private engagements throughout the Delaware Valley, both as leader of the popular Brian Menendez Trio and as a versatile sideman with some of Philadelphia’s most notable musicians.
An accomplished drummer and percussionist in a variety of settings from jazz and blues to classical and pop, Brian regularly leads groups in some of Philadephia’s most esteemed venues such as Chris’ Jazz Café and World Café Live as well as doing frequent sideman and subcontracting work. A former member of the prominent blues band The Dali Lamas in which he recorded two albums, Ice Cream Man, and Smiling' In A Row (Whirled Around Records), Brian has shared the stage with artists including Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, John Farnsworth, Kenny Garrett, Bunky Green, Eddie Kirkland, Mulgrew Miller, and Maria Schneider and performed regularly with the Phil Morrison Trio featuring Keith Williams, Keith Javors Quintet, Teddy Washington Sextet, First Coast Jazz Ensemble, the Retro Kats, and Bobby and the Blisters. He has performed at several international main stages ranging from Euro Disney to the House of Blues and can also be heard on the ArtistShare and Sea Breeze Vista labels. Brian has an A.A. degree from Indian River College and a B.M. degree in Instrumental Performance with high honors from the prestigious University of the Arts, where he was the recipient of the Peter Nero Jazz Award named to the National Deans List. He has been the recipient of numerous other scholarships and awards. Brian manages operations for the BR Foundation for American Music in Philadelphia, a non-for-profit cultural and educational arts service organization dedicated to the advance of American art musics.
For more information on Brian Menendez, visit www.brianmenendez.com.
