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Brandon Wright

A saxophonist and composer (2009 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer) from Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Brandon Wright found ambition early in his development. Exploring every opportunity to further his artistic growth, Brandon attended “Jazz For Teens”, a workshop directed by renowned bassist Rufus Reid, and has since been diligently pursuing a career in music. Wright went on to attend the University of Michigan and the University of Miami, earning four Downbeat Student Music Awards including Best College Jazz Group, Outstanding Jazz Soloist, and Outstanding Blues/Rock/Pop Soloist. He also won the 2004 North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Competition and was selected for the 2005 Henry Mancini Institute.

Since his Miami days, Brandon has toured Japan with the Gregg Field Orchestra (Fujitsu-Concord Jazz Festival 2005), played with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as well as the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, the Chico O’Farill Latin Big Band, and the John Fedchock New York Big Band. In the winter of 2007, Brandon went on tour with famed Tonight Show bandleader, Doc Severinsen. He is also a member of the newly formed Klezmer/Funk/Hip-Hop band “Abraham Inc.” which is co-lead by clarinetist David Krakhauer, Socalled, and funk trombone legend Fred Wesley. Most recently, Brandon joined the band of Chuck Mangione in 2009, playing saxophones and flutes. When not working as a sideman, Brandon leads his own quartet around the New York City area. The band has already made appearances at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Kitano Hotel, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke, Trumpets, and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. His versatility as a soloist and tasty compositions make this 27 year old saxophonist one to watch out for.

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5
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...

4
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...

28
Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Posi-Tone Records is known for showcasing nascent talent, often aligned with proven jazz warriors. With his sophomore release for the label, young tenor saxophonist Brandon Wright garners sympathetic and dynamic support from his ensemble, comprising time-honored vets, such as pianist David Kikoski and bassist Boris Kozlov. Drummer Donald Edwards transmits a holistic rhythmic stance with his acute penchant for toggling between soft and accenting accompaniment or when kicking matters into tenth gear. Possessing a big, blustery sound, Wright executes a ...

52
Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Saxophonist Brandon Wright sells himself a little short with the title he selected for his sophomore release. While he has been honing his skills while working in the employ of artists like trombonist John Fedchock, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg and trumpet legend Doc Severinsen, he's hardly an apprentice at this point. Wright's debut--Boiling Point (Posi-Tone, 2010)--gave notice that a new and exciting saxophone slinger had entered the picture and Journeyman helps to confirm his status as one of ...

99
Album Review

Brandon Wright: Journeyman

Read "Journeyman" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


Beware of album titles that seem to damn with faint praise. Although saxophonist Brandon Wright takes inspiration for the title of his second album from the words of novelist Cormac McCarthy, Journeyman is a term that usually conjures up an image of a reliable, hard-working, solid but uninspiring type of person. All admirable qualities, of course, but hardly earth shattering or applicable to the playing talent of the New York based musician. It's clear from Wright's opening phrase on “Shapeshifter" ...

412
Album Review

Brandon Wright: Boiling Point

Read "Boiling Point" reviewed by Elliott Simon


A talented young saxophonist, Brandon Wright came to NYC from Miami and honed his craft in its intimate uptown and downtown venues, while taking advantage of the Petri dish nature of its musician collegiality. And Wright obviously did more than just show up and play. He had to have listened, learned, practiced and sweated to master the full-throated sound that so impresses on each of Boiling Point's eight cuts. As is obvious from both the compositional strength of the originals ...

207
Album Review

Brandon Wright: Boiling Point

Read "Boiling Point" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


It's never a bad thing when an artist emerges with a collection of more original music than remakes of standards. And when the covers are unique arrangements, or of songs not copied ad nauseam, so much the better, as is the case with saxophonist Brandon Wright's Boiling Point. Wright, originally from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, leads his own quartet in the New York City area. He has played with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Chico O'Farrill Latin Big ...

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Recording

Brandon Wright - Boiling Point (2010)

Brandon Wright - Boiling Point (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By PicoFresh, new talent worth listening to is often hard to spot. Good thing the folks at jazz label Posi-Tone Records specialize in bringing to our attention promising young talent who will keep the flame of jazz going for another generation. Their issuance yesterday of the first album by saxophonist Brandon Wright is the first step in a long, satisfying solo career, but it's also another hopeful sign that jazz will remain vital and alive for years more ...

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Recording

Brandon Wright - Boiling Point (Posi-Tone)

Brandon Wright - Boiling Point (Posi-Tone)

Source: Master of a Small House

Over four decades after his premature passing, Coltrane is still a near-inescapable force for jazz saxophonists who opt for tradition-minded playing. Twenty-something Brandon Wright certainly sounds under the master's spell. From the bright, soaring unisions of “Free Man" the opening number on his new release, the tracks of Trane are a primary method of melodic travel. That observation may read like a slight, but it's not intended as one. After all, if a player is going to cop a sound ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Feel The Love

Posi-Tone Records
2021

buy

Rippin' & Runnin'

Posi-Tone Records
2020

buy

Journeyman

Posi-Tone Records
2012

buy

Boiling Point

Posi-Tone Records
2010

buy

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