Artist description This work is a natural progression. Classically trained, I took a while learning to relax enough to be able to swing and phrase by plucking the instrumentinstead of playing with a traditional swing style pick. I naturally started with Brazilian music, which was rhythmic with phrasing that was easier for me to solo and improviseon than swing. Now, after my Brazilian work, the real developments of this music is the actual swing beat throughout and more counterpoint, which I'm able to get to usingclassical fingering. I'm pleased with the way the piano and guitar work together, and the way the drums and percussion meshed so easily. These are very sensitive things.Guitarist and composer, Freddie Bryant, is a versatile musician skilled both in jazz and classical music. He received his Master’s degree in classical guitar from the Yale School of Music at Yale University. At the same time he was recording with jazz artists like Kevin Hays and Steve Wilson while leading his own bands. These bands have featured saxophonists Ralph Moore, David Sanchez, Chris Potter, Don Braden, Mark Turner, trumpeters Randy Brecker, Claudio Roditi, Scott Wendholt and pianists Renee Rosnes, Jonny King and Larry Goldings, along with many others. The last three CDs he has recorded for the Fresh Sound label have received rave reviews from musicians as well as critics: “Brazilian Rosewood is a brilliant and refreshing blend of jazz and Brazilian music…this CD is a gem” (The Green Mountain Jazz Messenger), “Boogaloo Brasileiro deserves five stars” (52ndstreet.com). About his latest release Live at Smoke noted writer, Nina D’ Alesandro wrote “Freddie Bryant guides his band through some of the most technically and emotionally dazzling music I’ve ever heard.” Freddie was honored when the great guitarist Kenny Burrell wrote “ Freddie Bryant is a brilliant young guitarist and composer.” Freddie has had the honor of touring with three ledgends of the music world: the African singer, Salif Keita and the virtuoso klezmer clarinetist, the maestro Giora Feidman. And currently he is working with the jazz trumpet great, Tom Harrell, as a member of his quintet. Recent highlights of his career as a sideman are recording with Tom Harrell for BMG/RCA and performing and recording with three wonderful singers: Ray Charles’ songs with Rosanna Vitro (Telarc Records), the Dutch Pop singer Mathilde Santing (SONY/Europe) and at the Montreal Jazz Festival with Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Music Style Jazz, Flamenco, Middle Eastern, Classical, Afro-Cuban, Senegalese

Artist History Kaleidoscope the band came together from ongoing relationships that Freddie developed with all the profoundly gifted musicians on this date:percussionist Gilad has been playing duos with him for years and appears on Freddie's previous recordings along with pianists Edsel Gomez, trumpeter Diego Urcola,and saxophonists Chris Cheek and Steve Wilson. Bassist Greg Ryan and drummer Willard Dyson havebeen collaborating with Freddie over the last several years. They hail from Israel, Puerto Rico, Argentina,St.Louis, Virginia, New York City and California, each equipped with big ears and a brilliant, multifacetedmusical palette of his own. There's an intimacy in the way they play together. This is a real working band - not one of those market-driven aggregations tossed together into a studio whose recordings we hear so oftenthese days. These stellar artists rise to meet the challenge of Freddie's music, mixing, reconfiguringand coloring it, playing together with ease, energy, commitment and delight that you can hear and feel. They listen deeply, leave each other space, take risks, follow twisting lines of counterpoint toward and aroundeach other and joyfully surf the densely layered rhythms.Education:1992-1994: M.A. Yale University in guitar performance. Awarded the Havermeyer Scholarship. Concentrated on classical repertoire, composition, theory and history.1983-1987: B.A. Amherst College in Music. Graduated Summa Cum Laude. Concentrated on music theory, history, arranging and performing in both the classical and jazz idioms.1976-1994: Studied classical guitar with Jeffery Israel, Philip de Fremery, Benjamin Verdery and Frederic Hand. Studied jazz guitar with Sal Salvador, Gene Bertoncini, Ted Dunbar and Mike Stern. Master classes with: David Russell, David Leisner, Elliot Fisk and Leo Brouwer.Performance Highlights:2001: Touring in Switzerland and Germany with singer Barbara Saskia2000: Concerts with Dee Dee BridgewaterTouring with the Tom Harrell Quintett1999: Concerts with Regina Carter in Paris1998-Present: Member of the Giora Feidman Quartet (klezmer) and the Tom Harrell Quintet (jazz). Touring in the United States and Europe.1998, Summer: Member of Salif Keita’s Band (African Music)1987-Present: As jazz artist: have performed with Regina Carter (1999 in Paris)Max Roach, Lonnie Smith and guitar legend Kenny Burrell. Have led many groups featuring renowned artists like Randy Brecker, David Sanchez and others. Performed at leading jazz clubs in New York, Europe and Japan. As classical guitarist: have performed in many colleges and churches across the northeast.1999: Jazz in June Festival, Norman, Oklahoma – Freddie Bryant Quintetperformance featuring original, Brazilian inspired compositions. Television andradio broadcasts.1998: Summer Winds Festival, University of Oklahoma - Solo classical guitarperformance.1997: Yale School of Music Guitar Extravaganza Two Original compositionsperformance.1996: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, New Faces Series – Solo classical guitarrecital.1994-1997: Yearly performance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC, NY. Solo classicalguitar.1990: Frank Colleymore Hall, Barbados – Solo classical guitar recital.1987-present: regularly performing in The Village Vanguard, Smalls, Smoke,Cleopatra’s Needle, Sweet Basil, Jules, Blue Note (as a member of the houseband) Jazz Standard (with Jonny King, pianist), The Priori (with AntonellaDini, singer)Compositional Highlights:Have composed solo pieces for classical, jazz and Brazilian guitar. Have written jazz compositions for small groups and big bands with string quartet. Compositions recorded by Steve Wilson, Kevin Hays and myself (see Discography). Wrote film score for ”Late Fall” Open City Films.Publication Highlights:Four jazz compositions in The Real New Standards edited by Darryl Grant(soon to be published)Kithara Editions – Suite for Nia Andrea for solo guitar (1999)Karma analyzed (with CD recording) in Living with Jazz: An Appreciation, by Frank Tirro.Classical piece included in book by Ben Verdery, Easy Classical Guitar Recital (1999).Mentioned as Jazz guitarist in What Jazz Is, by Jonny King (1998)Teaching Experience2000: Faculty at the Vermont Jazz Center, Putney1994-Present: “Brazilian Jazz Workshop” at Williams College “Fingerboard Harmony” at Yale School of Music and Brooklyn College,“Jazz and classical, Performance” at Amherst College and Holyoke Community College,“ Jazz Workshops for all instrumentalists” at Williams College1998: faculty for Jazz in July at the University of Massachusetts.1986-1995: Guitar lessons, coaching middle school ensemble and high school Jazz band Dalton School, NYC.1987: Teaching Assistant with Ted Dunbar, Jazz in July at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.DiscographyAs Leader:2000 ”Freddie Bryant and Kaleidoskope live at Smoke,NY” Fresh Sound / World JazzOctet, six original compositions1999 “Boogaloo Brasiliero” Fresh Sounds / World JazzSeptet, eight pieces, with four original compositions1998 “Brazilian Rosewood” Fresh Sounds / New TalentSeptet, eleven pieces, with seven original compositions, featuring acoustic guitar Brazilian - style1994 “Take Your Dance into Battle” Jazz City SpiritQuintet nine original compositions. As sideman:2001: "Simplicity of Approach", Alvaro, www.mp3.com/alvaro 2001: Tom Harrell, Octet with Strings1999: “Journey”, Giora Feidman, Pläne Records1997: “Catchin‘ Some Rays: The music of Ray Charles” Roseanna Vitro, Telarc Records1997: “High Standards,” Cecilia Smith Quartet, Brownstone Records 1997: “Traditions, New Spirits and Holy Ground” Good Coffee Records, a compilation1996: “Leave No Stone Unturned,” Cecilia Smith. Brownstone Records1996: “Wonders Never Cease,” Bonnie Strickman, Companion Records1996: “Parallel Lives,” Kate Scott and Tony Heath Sextet, Stone Tool Records1996: “Step Lively,” Steve Wilson, Criss Cross Records1995: “Crossroad,” Kevin Hays, Steeplechase Records

Group Members Freddie Bryant - Acoustic & Electric guitars, Chris Cheek - Tenor & Soprano saxophones, Steve Wilson - Alto saxophone, Diego Urcola - trumpet, Edsel Gomez - Piano, Greg Ryan - Bass, Willard Dyson - Drums, Gilad - Percussion.

Instruments Guitars, Saxophones, trumpet, Piano, Bass, Drums, Percussion

Albums Live at Smoke

Press Reviews "I wanted to write about musical colors and the colors in a kaleidoscope. I wanted to write about skin colors and the colors of the cultures and how on a cold winter night, Freddie Bryant put all those colors into a musical kaleidoscope, creating rhythmically shifting, shimmering patterns that celebrate and speak to truths about color still hidden from official history. The music they call jazz has always offered a way through darkness to illumination and liberation. But Freddie;s luminous music says it all and lights the way. So just listen" Nina D'Alessandro * New York City.About Brazilian Rosewood Freddie's first CD for the Fresh Sound label: Freddie Bryant's "Brazilian Rosewood," is a brilliant and refreshing blend of jazz and Brazilian music, with strong classical overtones. Bryant's extensive training as a classical guitarist has not gone to waste. He plays the acoustic guitar...bringing a sensitive ear and voice to the delicate, sweet tone of his instrument. Freddie is an exceptionally gifted composer and performer, and his creative energies are to be admired and supported...this CD is a gem.JEN ALUSANDRA KARPIN/The Green Mountain Jazz Messenger--------------About Boogaloo Brasileiro Freddie's second CD for Fresh Sound:Rating: FIVE STARS. Don't think I give out five stars lightly. No sirree...I thought it over, and Freddie Bryant's "Boogaloo Brasileiro" ("BB") deserves five stars. "BB" does provide that extra ounce of delight, perhaps through the deepening musicianship and re-appreciation of an extraordinarily promising talent at the beginning of his, hopefully, lifelong musical journey.Bryant's sound is distinctive...he stitches together "BB" with a Brazilian sensibility that values acoustic guitar...especially rewarding are Bryant's meditative solos.Composed of musicians who are creating their own distinctive styles on CD's they lead...Bryant's talent and leadership compel the listener and make "BB" not just another Brazilian jazz album, but one that calls attention to an artist finally capturing deserved public attention.DON WILLIAMSON/www.52ndstreet.com---------------------------The solo rendition of Jobim’s “Por Toda Minha Vida” is a gorgeous blend of delicate harmonics, ethereal harmonies and rhythmic freedom…the title cut has an incendiary groove and Freddie Bryant’s original, “Alone” has a brilliant guitar solo that builds in intensity and incorporates a spectrum of guitar devices. “BB” offers a clear view of Freddie Bryant’s many talents.JIM FERGESON/Jazz Times Magazine--------------------------------Mature and stylish...a heady mix of formidable jazz and Brazilian-infected rhythms...Bryant's third release to date as a leader...marks the guitarist as someone to keep an eye on in the coming years. CHRIS HOVAN/www.allaboutjazz.com--------------------------------Fresh Sound is one of the most interesting new labels to have emerged in recent years...searching out albums like "BB" by guitarist Freddie Bryant is a worthwhile endeavor...this is a remarkably subtle disc...Bryant gets a very contemporary sound here. Check it out.FACE MAGAZINE---------------------------------Bryant is a gifted guitarist who is classically trained with jazz chops to spare...Though he is still in his mid-30s, Bryant's compositions...display a remarkable maturity and grace. "BB" is a sumptuous feast for both the mind and the ears.JAMES LAMPERETTA/The Saratogian---------------------------------Freddie Bryant is a busy young man with a taste for diverse musical adventures...he renews his romance with the music of South America, successfully melding his superb classical technique with the explosive rhythms of Brazil.Bryant is joined by a septet of some of New York's hottest young jazz and Latin musicians...together they create a mood of lush, tropical splendor that bridges the gulf between the worlds of jazz, classical and Brazilian music. This is an album to savor by an artist to watch.JOEL ROBERTS/www.allaboutjazz.com-----------------------------------Freddie Bryant is a guitarist-composer with a background in jazz and classical music. His talent and taste are apparent from the opening track of his new CD...Bryant's orientation may be off-center Brazilian but he often leans toward classic bebop...This is a melodic, rhythmic and mellow album.BARRY BASSIS/Town and Village--------------------------------------Bryant should be pleased with these sessions and encouraged to continue his musical journeys.WILLIAM G. KENZ/www.jazzweekly.com-------------------------------Guitarist Freddie Bryant is a rhythmic and melodic sponge. Put him in any musical situation, be it classical, jazz, funk, Senegalese, etc., and he'll tend to become one with the music. So when he was introduced to Brazilian music, he naturally picked it up, although he has no Brazilian blood in him.JASON KORANSKY/www.downbeatjazz.com---------------------------------Freddie is one of the first people I played with in New York. He's a master classical guitarist and a great arranger, and I think he's really found his voice on his last two Brazilian records. STEVE WILSON-Saxophonist--The Fairfield County Weekly-----------------------------

Location Norman, OK - USA

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