has been part of the NYC music scene for the past 10 years having played for a list of artists who's musical genre's run the gamut. Whether it's funk with the Legendary Average White Band, Jazz with Shanachie recording artist Chuck Loeb, R&B with Columbia artist Sara Devine, Rock with Corey Glover or Pop with Alana Davis, Brian continues to be a sought after player for any musical situation where pocket and musicality are required.
Brian is a native New Yorker and has lived in Brooklyn for the past 8 years. In College he studied classical percussion with NYC Ballet principal percussionist Ronald Gould. After receiving an Associates degree, Brian went on to receive his Bachelors degree from Long Island University with a certificate of qualification to teach instrumental band in the public school system.
As a youngster, Brian got his best education playing along with countless records (purchased by his two older brothers who also play) by James Brown, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, AWB, Cameo, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, JohnColtraine, Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, etc... These records featured Brian’s biggest influences: Steve Jordan, Steve Ferrone, Clyde Stubblefield, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Jack Dejohnette, Vinny Colaiuta, John Bonham etc...
While in college Brian started a musical relationship with Guitarist Teddy Kumpel and became the drummer in his band “NOMESANE” featuring Andy Middleton on sax, and Tony Scherr on bass. Shortly after, Brian met two more important people in his development as a "Working" drummer in NYC, Saxophonist Dave Mann & Guitarist Chuck Loeb (both of whom he still plays with). "Dave and Chuck opened a lot of doors for me and have given me the opportunity to play with some of the best players out there". Brian's affiliation with Chuck has resulted in performances with players such as Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Bob James, Dave Samuels, &Will Lee. Chuck has also used Brian on his last four solo records and on various other artist’s records he has produced such as Bob James, Michael Franks and Jay Beckenstien. In addition to records, Brian’s playing can be heard on the movie sound tracks “Lucky Numbers” Paramount pictures staring John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow and most recently “Intolerable Cruelty” Universal Films Staring George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Most recently, Brian has been touring with the Average White Band (and just finished their most recent recording), Chuck Loeb’s Band and Sara Devine. Other recent gigs include Stephanie Mills, Patti Austin, Randy Brecker and Dave Samuels (Berks Jazz Festival), keyboardist Mike Ricchiuti. In addition to his busy playing schedule, Brian also teaches private lessons at his home in Brooklyn and has started his own Production Company / Studio Facility, “BACK OF THE BUS PRODUCTIONS”, a full featured PRO-TOOLS STUDIO for live drum tracks and midi programming. For more info on the studio facility check out my services page and all your questions regarding what I have to offer, gear, prices etc… will be answered.
Brian is a native New Yorker and has lived in Brooklyn for the past 8 years. In College he studied classical percussion with NYC Ballet principal percussionist Ronald Gould. After receiving an Associates degree, Brian went on to receive his Bachelors degree from Long Island University with a certificate of qualification to teach instrumental band in the public school system.
As a youngster, Brian got his best education playing along with countless records (purchased by his two older brothers who also play) by James Brown, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, AWB, Cameo, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, JohnColtraine, Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, etc... These records featured Brian’s biggest influences: Steve Jordan, Steve Ferrone, Clyde Stubblefield, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Jack Dejohnette, Vinny Colaiuta, John Bonham etc...
While in college Brian started a musical relationship with Guitarist Teddy Kumpel and became the drummer in his band “NOMESANE” featuring Andy Middleton on sax, and Tony Scherr on bass. Shortly after, Brian met two more important people in his development as a "Working" drummer in NYC, Saxophonist Dave Mann & Guitarist Chuck Loeb (both of whom he still plays with). "Dave and Chuck opened a lot of doors for me and have given me the opportunity to play with some of the best players out there". Brian's affiliation with Chuck has resulted in performances with players such as Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Bob James, Dave Samuels, &Will Lee. Chuck has also used Brian on his last four solo records and on various other artist’s records he has produced such as Bob James, Michael Franks and Jay Beckenstien. In addition to records, Brian’s playing can be heard on the movie sound tracks “Lucky Numbers” Paramount pictures staring John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow and most recently “Intolerable Cruelty” Universal Films Staring George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Most recently, Brian has been touring with the Average White Band (and just finished their most recent recording), Chuck Loeb’s Band and Sara Devine. Other recent gigs include Stephanie Mills, Patti Austin, Randy Brecker and Dave Samuels (Berks Jazz Festival), keyboardist Mike Ricchiuti. In addition to his busy playing schedule, Brian also teaches private lessons at his home in Brooklyn and has started his own Production Company / Studio Facility, “BACK OF THE BUS PRODUCTIONS”, a full featured PRO-TOOLS STUDIO for live drum tracks and midi programming. For more info on the studio facility check out my services page and all your questions regarding what I have to offer, gear, prices etc… will be answered.
Produced by: Ronaldo de Morais