Jazz trombonist Kevin Bryson draws influence from a wide range of musicians and music genres such as classical music, avant-garde, salsa, electronica, and of course the rich lineage of jazz. At live shows, you can expect to hear arrangements of diverse material such as a 14th century chant, a Beethoven piano sonata, or the calming repetition of a Brian Eno soundscape. His original compositions feature complex harmonies paired with simple motivic melodies and driving grooves. A native of Northern California, Kevin has performed at notable venues and festivals such as, Avery Fisher Hall, The Grammy Awards, The San Jose Jazz Festival, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, City National Civic Auditorium, Fantasy Studios, and the San Francisco Salsa Festival.
As a sideman, Kevin has recorded artists such as Jennifer Hudson, G-Eazy, and Northwoods. In the bay area he has appeared on two of jazz Guitarist Mason Razavi’s recordings, as well as the debut album of the 7th Street Big Band. He has composed and arranged over two dozen pieces of worship music and has been a proponent of Jazz Vespers, in which contemporary jazz is paired with scripture and poetry readings as part of a contemplative and forward thinking worship space.
After relocating from Los Angeles to Miami Kevin started a Doctoral degree at the University of Miami. He also holds a Masters degree from USC’s Thornton School of Music and a Bachelors of Music degree from Berklee College of Music. He received scholarships at both schools including the prestigious Lawrence and Alma Berk scholarship at Berklee college of music. As a student at Berklee, he studied performance as well as music synthesis culminating in a capstone project to create computer software that could accompany and react to a live improvising musician. Throughout his studies, Kevin has had several notable teachers including Phil Wilson, Hal Crook, Doug Elliott, Dion Tucker, and Wayne Wallace. Kevin is an endorsing artist for BAC trombones and performs on Doug Elliott mouthpieces.