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Thundercat

Thundercat is the alter ego of virtuosic bassist / singer Stephen Bruner. The South Los Angeles-native has released two critically acclaimed full length albums on Brainfeeder Records since 2011, and last year saw the release of widely praised mini-album The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam. The album features appearances from the legendary Herbie Hancock, fellow Brainfeeder family members Kamasi Washington, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Mono/Poly and production work from Brainfeeder head, Flying Lotus. 2015 also saw Thundercat make outstanding contributions to landmark albums by Kamasi Washington (The Epic) and Kendrick Lamar (To Pimp A Butterfly). His work on Lamar’s recently netted him his first Grammy.

Bruner found his instrument at the age of 4. That made him a late-bloomer in the house of Ronald, Sr., who drummed with the Temptations among others. His first bass was a black Harmony, and he practiced to the Ninja Turtles soundtrack until pops played him Jaco Pastorius. He joined thrash legends Suicidal Tendencies as a teenager, and spent road and studio time with everyone from Stanley Clarke to Snoop Dogg to Erykah Badu. Eventually the name Thundercat stuck, a reference to the cartoon he’s loved since childhood and an extension of Bruner’s wide-eyed, vibrant, often superhuman approach to his craft.

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6
Album Review

Thundercat: It Is What It Is

Read "It Is What It Is" reviewed by John Bricker


If you're looking for some dreamy neo-soul and jazz fusion with a charming sense of humor, no one can satisfy you like Thundercat. Released on April 3, his fourth studio album, It Is What It Is, demonstrates his seemingly limitless confidence and charm as a singer, songwriter and bassist, delivering a solid crop of gorgeous and personal songs. After releasing two acclaimed solo albums and playing some incredible features for artists like Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, Stephen ...

6
Interview

Thundercat: On Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu and the great LA jazz renaissance

Read "Thundercat: On Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu and the great LA jazz renaissance" reviewed by Rob Garratt


When, a few years back, the mainstream media began breathlessly anointing the arrival of a West Coast-born jazz “renaissance," Thundercat's name was invariably invoked second in the evidence list— behind, of course, that of his childhood buddy Kamasi Washington. While Washington's career has gone stratospheric—with a summer co-headline tour alongside Herbie Hancock the latest summit mounted—Thundercat has proved no slouch, picking up widespread praise for 2017's Drunk, an idiosyncratic third outing which squeezed squelching lounge-funk grooves, electro-pop hooks, gymnastic falsetto ...

6
Live Review

Thundercat at the Bluebird Theater

Read "Thundercat at the Bluebird Theater" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Thundercat Bluebird Theater Denver, CO February 22, 2017 Thundercat brought the thunder. Bassist Stephen Bruner, also known as Thundercat, went low at the Bluebird Theater Wednesday night. We're talking bass that was deep and powerful enough to revive a heart attack victim. But Bruner and his band weren't simply about boisterous bass. There was much more. Bruner brought his trio to Denver for a song-oriented two hour set. Playing a 6-string electric bass ...

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Concerts

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Thundercat
O2 City Hall Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Mar 30 Sat
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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

It Is What It Is

Brainfeeder
2020

buy

Drunk

Brainfeeder
2017

buy

Videos

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