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Frank Briggs

Personnel: Frank Briggs: composer, drums, keyboards, programming; Brian Price: guitar (1-7,9); Kit Walker: Fender Rhodes, synths (1, 3, 7, 8); Steve Weingart: piano, Fender Rhodes, synths (2-4, 6, 9); Ric Fierabracci: bass (1-3, 5, 7, 10); Mitchel Forman: Fender Rhodes, blowtorch, piano (5, 10); Frank Gambale: guitar (10); Mark Doyle: guitar (8); Travis Carlton: bass (4); Chris Golden: bass (6, 8); Jeff Babko: Fender Rhodes, synths (9); Jimmy Earl: bass (9). Rich Breen; mix engineer, all tracks

Drummer, Composer Frank Briggs is joined by an All-Star group of musical soul mates on his first solo release; a breathtaking collection of compositions that celebrate the power of hope amid adversity. Inspired by a spectacular desert oasis, China Ranch takes us on a journey of musical exploration and virtuosity as expressed by an artist blessed with curiosity, compassion … and serious chops.

China Ranch is a real place, a family owned date farm in the Mojave Desert, not far from Southern Death Valley. But channeled through this music, China Ranch is not merely a destination; it is a journey into the soul, navigated by a performer at the peak of his talents.

Briggs and his amazing bandmates (Steve Weingart, Brian Price, Ric Fierabracci, Mitchel Forman, Kit Walker, Frank Gambale, Jimmy Earl, Jeff Babko, Chris Golden, Jeff Miley, Mark Doyle, Travis Carlton and Michito Sanchez) have pulled off an astonishing feat: The technique is mesmerizing and masterful while also maintaining an emotional truth that makes a cohesive statement.

Supple melodies dance over shape-shifting modes and contrasting instrumental voicings. The players carve deep jazz- and funk-based grooves while playfully displacing beats and inverting expectations around every corner. Driving everything is the deft and explosive pulse created by the composer, producer and engineer of this project.

Musically inventive and as sonically lush as the desert flowers that inspire these tracks, China Ranch is Frank Briggs’ musical thank you note to a locale which proves that even the most barren and forbidding places we know can bear fruit of remarkable sweetness. ...

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Customer Reviews...

A Great Listen.

author: Steve Hass (John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane).

Great tunes, killer playing, and I dig the loops!! Congrats on a superb final product. China Ranch is a great listen. :-)

OMG!!

author: Tom

I don't have the words (or qualifications) to accurately describe how impressed I am with the China Ranch CD and with Frank as a drummer and composer. Suffice it to say I love it.

I Love this Album.

author: Anna

Hello from London! China Ranch has been playing at my house for weeks now. Everytime I listen I hear something new. I love this music and so many great solos. Beautiful guitars...thank you!!

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Album Review

Frank Briggs: China Ranch

Read "China Ranch" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Regardless of the myriad labels thrust upon it, good music is simply music. With that stated, drummer Frank Briggs' release, China Ranch, could fit comfortably within many categorizations, its elements including fusion/progressive rock, electronic music, grooveacious funk or contemporary jazz with plenty of creative substance.A propulsive drummer in the style of Tony Williams, Briggs has been active in the Los Angeles area for a number of years. With this debut he enlists the help of a stellar cast ...

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Press Reviews

On China Ranch, Frank Briggs writes a Return To Forever-esque treatment of ten killer tracks that display strong drumming, Rhodes and synths, guitar and bass soloing. The compositions, inspired by a visit to the family-owned date farm in the Mojave Desert, keep an eye on the jazz-rock fusion tradition pioneered by such influences as Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny and others, while still moving the genre forward.

On "Desert Flower" the solos run the gamut from lush, modern electronics and dramatic harmonies to wide-open solo sections for Kit Walker on Synth and Brian Price on guitar. Briggs' powerful and rhythmic drumming keeps this song musically focused, energetic and shifting freely between the jazz and rock elements.

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Primary Instrument

Drums

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

30 plus years of private teaching experience. Many of my students have successful professional careers. 10 Published Method Books and DVD Published by Mel Bay Publications. 6 of which remain in Mel Bay's top 10 best sellers list. Complete Modern Drumset is recommended by Berklee College of Music faculty. New students via AAJ is $70. per lesson (normally $80) call 818.275.0409 to schedule.

Clinic/Workshop Information

subjects vary

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

China Ranch

Self Produced
2008

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