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David Bryant

Pianist/Composer David Bryant is a world-class artist. Few musicians today match the versatility, originality, and sensitivity that he brings to the music. He combines an extensive knowledge of the jazz tradition and other diverse musical idioms, as well an individualistic approach and sound. It is no surprise that he is quickly rising to the top of the international jazz scene.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Bryant started playing piano at age 4. By age 8, he was competing and ranking in some of the New York area’s most prestigious youth classical piano competitions, such as BACA and the Queens College Festival of Music Competition. Four years later, David also began playing cello and trumpet, performing with youth symphonies and chamber programs on all three instruments. As a result of his dedication, he was accepted to New York’s prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts. It was here that David became interested in jazz.

While at LaGuardia, David quickly became an integral part of the Senior Jazz Band and combos as well as the All-City Jazz Band. He won the “Outstanding Soloist” award at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition, as well as being invited to participate in the Monterey Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. His senior year he was selected to the Grammy Foundation’s All- American Jazz Combo. In 2001, he received a scholarship to study at the New England Conservatory. He made the most of the opportunity, establishing himself as a professional musician in Boston while continuing his studies; joining the Boston Jazz Reparatory Orchestra (BJRO), performing weekly at Wally’s Jazz Cafe, while performing with various ensembles at clubs like The Regatta Bar, Scullers, etc. In 2005 he graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance and a distinction in music.

David returned to New York City and pretty quickly established himself in the music scene, performing with renowned musicians such as Roy Haynes, Dave Holland, Christian McBride, Jimmy Heath, Steve Coleman, Kenny Wheeler, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Henderson, Bob Brookmeyer, Ravi Coltrane, Christian Scott, Thundercat, Esperanza Spalding, Queen Latifah and more. He is featured on records by Steve Coleman, Steve Davis, Myron Walden, Jen Shyu, Marcus Strickland, Jeremy Pelt, as well as the soundtrack for the George Clooney movie Leatherheads (2008). He has performed and can be seen at Venues internationally; such as Umbria Jazz, Stockholm Jazz Fest, La Villette Fest, Nonoichi Jazz Fest, and many more. Currently, David is a regular member of the Louis Hayes Quintet, recording albums Return of the Jazz Communicators (2014) and Serenade for Horace (2017), as well as various ensembles with Henry Threadgill, appearing on Double Up, Plays Double Up Plus (2018) and Dirt...And More Dirt (2018).

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3
Album Review

Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra: Live at I.U.C.C. 11/26/1978

Read "Live at I.U.C.C. 11/26/1978" reviewed by Danen Jobe


In November of 1978, Horace Tapscott had some advantages that any other iconoclastic, idealistic, idiosyncratic jazz bandleader would greatly desire. For one, he was approached by a socially minded professional gambler named Tom Albach about starting a label (Nimbus West) devoted to Tapscott's music, allowing complete creative control, never expecting to make a dime of profit, and providing living money to keep the band going. Another was a steady gig in the only area in the nation that Tapscott truly ...

32
Album Review

Horace Tapscott with the Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra: Ancestral Echoes – The Covina Sessions, 1976

Read "Ancestral Echoes – The Covina Sessions, 1976" reviewed by Karl Ackermann


When pianist/composer/conductor Horace Tapscott founded the Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra (PAPA) in 1961, it was by design a support collective for all arts, bringing pride to the black community, specifically that of South-Central Los Angeles. PAPA signified social activism, teaching empowerment, and advocating Tapscott's belief that channeling African ancestral roots was a key to succeeding. Tapscott, who died in 1999, had forsaken wider recognition to bring music and teaching to his community, but his catalog has seen a revived interest ...

5
Album Review

Tony Davis: Golden Year

Read "Golden Year" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Tony Davis definitely knows how to get things done. At 25, he has already earned a Master's Degree and is involved in musical education. He has played and recorded with some of the most notable jazz musicians around, including the group, Works for Me. With Golden Year, his first solo album, Davis captures the energy of his recent experiences and transforms it into an exciting musical offering. This record not only showcases Davis' talent as a guitarist and composer, but ...

540
Album Review

Myron Walden: Momentum

Read "Momentum" reviewed by John Kelman


Sometimes a break can be the best thing a musician can take. Not getting tired by any means, if a four-year sabbatical from recording as a leader results in as strong a comeback as reedman Myron Walden's, perhaps artists should take breaks more often. A charter member of drummer Brian Blade's Fellowship Band, Walden is back with not one, but three CDs over the next couple months. The first, Momentum, is a potent modern mainstream set that takes trumpet icon ...

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Live at I.U.C.C....

Nimbus West
2023

buy

Golden Year

Posi-Tone Records
2020

buy

Ancestral Echoes –...

Dark Tree Records
2020

buy

ALL IN!!!!!

Ayanuze Entertainment
2019

buy

Momentum

Demi Sound Records
2009

buy

Dreams and Nightmares

From: ALL IN!!!!!
By David Bryant

Miles

From: Momentum
By David Bryant

What Goes Up Must Come Down

From: Momentum
By David Bryant

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