Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra
”If Uncertain Living is an indication, The Britton Brothers are likely to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.” - Woodrow Wilkins (AllAboutJazz.com)
In 2010 the Britton Brothers' released their debut album, Uncertain Living, to critical acclaim from various music critics and celebrated the release with a packed in crowd and a guest performance by saxophone legend, Chris Potter. One critic describe the record and the group, “Uncertain Living shows that the Brittons and their band are clearly ready for prime time -- the playing here is marvelous and the writing is even better: slightly quirky and very original while maintaining firm roots in the jazz tradition... these guys are for real.” - Dave Wayne (JazzReview.com). The group has kept busy since then touring the northeastern U.S., gigging in and around NYC and continuing the process of writing and performing new music. The group and its music has grown, and they plan to take their new artistry into the recording studio during 2011.
Saxophonist Ben Britton (born 1983 in Lakenheath, England) and trumpeter John Britton (born 1987 in Omaha, Nebraska) have developed a collective approach throughout years of playing music together at their home near Annapolis, MD, then at Eastman where they both received undergraduate degrees and now co-leading their quintet. In their individual experience they have played at various venues throughout the U.S. including the Lincoln Center, the Rochester Jazz Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival and an artist residency at the Kennedy Center, and they have shared the stage with various world renowned performers including Wycliffe Gordon, Peter Erskine, John Clayton, Dick Oats and Candido Camero among others.
The group is filled out by Jeremy Siskind on piano, Austin Walker on drums and Taylor Waugh on Bass who have all been hailed as talented and powerful performers in their own right. All three are regular sidemen in the rising generation of jazz musicians, and Siskind has been recognized by critics and musicians for his own pursuits as a leader. His sophomore release, Simple Songs For When The World Seems Strange, received a 4 star review in Down Beat, and was included along side artists like Keith Jarrett, Dave Douglas, and Charles Lloyd in multiple articles listing the best jazz albums of 2010. The group has included the same personnel for two years now, and they will be staying together for their 2011 recording project.
You can get a digital copy of their debut album from iTunes or from their CDBaby page. You can also order the album on their website using paypal, which they appreciate the most, but you can also order a physical copy from CDBaby.
As innovative teaching artists the Britton Brothers also released exciting free content on their website including play-alongs of some of their tracks, transcriptions of Chris Potter's solos from the album.
Dave Wayne, JazzReview.com
“Uncertain Living is an absolutely superb debut album, in every possible regard. If the band's future endeavors are as good as this album, The Britton Brothers Band will easily find success in the jazz scene.”
5 Star Review, Carly Doenges, musikreviews.com
“Filled with spunk, texture and fun, the Britton Brothers Band manages to pay homage to its roots in jazz and swing while still pushing forward into new territory.”
Jordan Richardson, BlogCritic.org
“If Uncertain Living is an indication, The Britton Brothers are likely to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.”
Woodrow Wilkins, AllAboutJazz.com
“Hip-hop, bebop and Monk--not a music business legal partnership, but a brief summation of some of the musical influences at work on Uncertain Living, the excellent debut album from the Britton Brothers Band.”
Bruce Lindsay, AllAboutJazz.com
“I've found these tunes both swinging and immensely listenable while simultaneously pushing and that 'goin' for something' style of playing that I love and draws me nearer.”
Damian Erskine, BassMusicianMagazine.com
“Honestly, this does not sound like a debut recording - the band works well together and there is a sense of joy in the music that comes from a shared vision. Nothing “Uncertain” about this CD; if you like music with a strong groove as well as good soloing, check this out.”
Richard B. Kamins, StepTempest.blogspot.com
“A strikingly good debut from trumpeter John Britton and tenor saxophonist Ben Britton. Fluid front-line solos from the brothers, allied to crisply taken solo moments from their companions make this a very strong album.”
Bruce Crowther, Swing2Bop.com
“For the Britton Brothers Uncertain Living makes a well above average debut. The instrumental mastery and expressiveness is the main attraction.”
Muzikreviews.com
