The Suite for Evil Basses — Brandino’s Sound Box.com

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The Suite for Warwick 7 String Basses and Warwick 6 String Piccolo Bass is
a new collaboration with Six Feet Under bassist “Jeff Hughell” and the man
himself “Brandino”.This is the I’st song ever recorded in the World with
two 7 string Warwick basses and a Warwick 6 String Piccolo Bass !! Check it
out.
— Read on www.brandinosoundbox.com/the-suite-for-evil-basses/

THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO Review page

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The-Many-Faces-of-Brandino-cover

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO ” BY WAYNE LYNSEY KEYBOARDIST OF THE JAY LENO SHOW

Kevin Brandon’s new cd is both versatile and exciting, showcasing both, his upright & electric bass playing. The band is killing too!! Job well done!

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO” BY MIKE MERRITT CONAN O’BRIEN SHOW

You did give me a CD. It’s great. Your playing is happening, nice selection of tunes. I’m coming to your gig next week! Mike Merritt Conan O’Brien Show

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO ” BY PAUL JACKSON JR THE WORLD’S GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER

Dude, I’m digging your CD. Your are playing’ your butt off. You’re killing on Actual Proof. How long have you been playing the Warwick 6 string? a Long Time

“I’ve known Brandino for over 30 years. On this new project, he’s playing better than ever. Especially the 6 string electric stuff. Go get it!!”

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO BY VICTOR WOOTEN

“Brandino is one of the few bassists who are equally proficient on both electric and acoustic. His new record shows off his skills wonderfully.” – Victor Wooten.

REVIEW ON “THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO ” BY CHRIS JISI BP MAGAZINE

Bass Player Magazine by Chris Jisi : Quote

The Many Faces Of Brandino (N’House )

The versatile L.A. mainstay bassist/ producer,whose recent credits range from Will.I.AM to

Nancy Wilson , delivers a sturdy sophomore studio disc spotlighting skills on upright and

electric bass, and as a composer/arranger.Among the step-out tracks are acoustic bass-

driven Latin jazzer ” Beginning of the End “,funk-rocker ” Rock It ” ( layering 5-,6-,7-

string bass)and an energetic reading of Herbie Hancock’s

“Tell Me a Bedtime Story “. Kamasi Washington adds supple sax on ” Free Jazz” .

– CHRIS JISI ( Bass Player Magazine )

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO BY MIKE SMITH A NYC PERCUSSIONIST
Live concert review
This is a review of a Jazz Group I went to see last night at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. I was not asked or paid to do this by anyone; in fact Brandino won’t know until he sees this.

I am doing it because when u c and hear music being performed at a certain level that is not seen very often, especially Jazz, which is one of the most complex styles to play; it deserves attention & praise.

First things first…The Band: Kevin Brandon “Brandino”-Bass/Leader

Oscar Seaton-Drums, Andy Langham-Keys, Keith Fiddmont-Saxes.

Now, most people are familiar with the song ‘Summertime’…well I have never heard it played the way I did last night! And, I have played this song hundreds of times. It was Jazzy, Groovy, some parts were driving yet well controlled and a nice moderate tempo. The parallel/harmonic lines between the Sax & Keys, while the bass & drums hold down the groove…just spectacular. The “solos”…well u gotta go & c for yourself, u will not b disappointed.

‘The Beginning Of The End’…Kevin begins with the bass line & if u r not paying attention, the opening of this song might throw u & it will take several seconds or so to hear the time.

I won’t give everything away by commented on the other songs, u will have to witness for yourself & as I’ve stated already…u won’t b disappointed.

Anyone who has seen Oscar play…knows…the man is in a zone! It’s almost as if he’s in this invisible bubble that has holes in it where he can hear the music & add his unique style of playing to support the song. He looks up, down, sideways within his bubble & its as if he’s getting his inspiration & direct line of communication from God himself. Always supporting the music, yet naturally shining.

Kevin…what can I say…anyone who has seen him knows just how gifted/talented & humorous this man is. We go back a long way.

I remember us working together at Marla’s Memory Lane Club owned by Marla Gibbs, actress who was on TV Sitcom The Jefferson’s.

We were working with Bernard Ighner who wrote & sang ‘Everything Must Change’. Kevin was playing Electric Bass, sitting in a chair. He would lean so far to the left & right, I just knew one night he was gonna fall. I contemplated getting gymnastic mats to place on either side of him on the floor; but he never fell! Bernard just loved Kevin’s feel too.

I included this because when Kevin plays…his body, heart & soul goes into the music, whether it’s his own or someone else’s. U can always rely on Kevin to bring it. He’s walkin’ talkin’ notes of music.

Andy & Keith just bring up the rear in this band…fine musicians. Great band, beautiful array of songs & arrangements.

Collectively, this is a must see group…go see BRANDINO!

Mike Smith a NYC percussionist wrote this !!

REVIEW ON ” THE MANY FACES OF BRANDINO CD” BY BILL HELM RADIO DJ FROM 89.1 KHOL LOCATED IN JACKSON, WY

Not sure what you mean by a quote on the CD, but “it just plain grooves”

(I can’t think of a better compliment to a bassist.)

“The Many Faces of Brandino” CD knocked me out. As a fellow bassist, I find the groove infectious, the arrangements stimulating, and your tone worthy of envy…. Summertime is one of my favorite tunes and the arrangement is so cool, the tempo is just right and the band cooks, yeah, more, I want more.

Bill Helm Radio DJ from 89.1 KHOL located in Jackson, WY

Brandino @ SMC

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Kevin “Brandino” Brandon brings jazz to SMC

Nathan Gawronsky, Staff Writer
March 29, 2011
Filed under Arts & Entertainment

Students and fans of jazz at Santa Monica College honored a special musical guest on Friday, March 25th at The Edye Second Space in the Performing Arts Center.

Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is what one would call a musician’s musician. An accomplished and respected bassist who began playing from the age of nine, he has been an instrumental figure in some of the most critically acclaimed pop albums of recent years; albums like Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds have earned Brandon five out of the seven Grammys currently under his belt. Brandon has worked closely with renowned artists and groups like Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Richard Ashcroft and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

The Kevin Brandon Quintet played two inspiring sets in the intimate Edye Second Space. Playing with Brandon’s five string double bass were Kamasi Washington on tenor saxophone, William Artope on trumpet, Roy McCurdy on drums and Andy Langham on piano. They have been playing together since February, 2011.

As the musicians took their places, Kevin, who limps due to “congenital club feet and a hip displacement,” according to his website, approached a microphone set to about his kneecap. “I know I’m short—but I ain’t that short!” he said. After a quick adjustment from stage crew, he said, “Hello. My name is Brandino, and these are my friends.”

Musically, the show was a medley of sounds from different eras of jazz and popular music. The Quintet began with “Instrumental Hip-Hop,” by Ryan Porter and “I Can’t Help It,” by Michael Jackson. The men quickly showcased their skills to the audience. Artope and Washington are both highly skilled horn players, and their trumpet and saxophone were a delight. Each of the musicians, particularly Brandon and McCurdy, are prodigious soloists, who can run through chord changes with blazing fast speed.

The highlights of the evening had to be their tributes to the revolutionary jazz styles of bebop and modal jazz. Playing “Where is the World Going?” an original composition by Brandon, and Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo,” the men jammed exceptionally. Each man resonated with flashes of sounds reminiscent of bebop legends of the past; names like Davis, Coltrane, Roach and Mingus come to mind. The atmosphere was akin to a 50s jam session at the famous Birdland. Nothing felt forced, but rather fluid and relaxed. With each solo, the audience broke into spontaneous applause.

To expand the musical horizons of the show, Mr. Brandon also called onto the stage DJ Teddy Loc and a dancer from China named Dava Liu. For what could be described as a brief interlude between two songs, they put on a small hip hop show with Liu break dancing and Brandon’s bass playing in top form.

Kevin Brandon’s Quintet is proof that jazz is not a dead art form, but still very much alive and exploring new boundaries. Nelly Melamed, a 19 year old Music 33 student said, “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a live jazz show, and I really liked it!” Similarly, Sean Park, 25 years old and from the same class as Melamed said, “I’ve never been to this kind of a concert, but this was incredible.”

Brandon, who has family roots in New Orleans, has been a lifelong fan of jazz. He described his first significant musical experience. “I saw Louis Armstrong when I was 4 years old,” he said. “Jazz is in my DNA. It’s self expression without boundaries.”

– See more at: http://www.thecorsaironline.com/arts-entertainment/2011/03/29/kevin-brandino-brandon-brings-jazz-to-smc/#sthash.KHReg5I4.dpuf

Brandino ‘s Media page

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  1.        Kevin Brandon ” The Industry’s best- kept secret 2011
  2.   Jason Saulnier interviewing Kevin Brandon 2011
  3.      Kevin Brandon’s Musician’s Union Local 47 Overture Review
  4.       Kevin Brandon ‘s Mother’s Day Speech at the AOL Church
  5.     Kevin Brandon’s Story of the Week for CNN News
  6.     Kevin Brandon performing for the LA Jazz Society Performing Jazz in the Schools for The LAUDS 
  7.    Interview with Kevin’s ” You Can Do It If You Try Foundation for CNN News
  8.     Kevin’s Washington Prep High School Lecture Video        
  9.     W M P D Internet Radio interview with Kevin Brandon
  10.        Kevin Brandon with Jamie Fox at the American Music Award