Kevin “Brandino” Brandon. Known for his powerful, precise tone and
feel-good groove, the veteran doubler is now navigating his fourth decade
in the City of Angels. Brandon can handle arco and pizzicato upright dates
as well as those requiring vintage Fenders or modern 7-strings. Perhaps
most impressive of all is that he has done all of the above for contemporary
artists such as Outkast, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and Joss Stone.
Kevin Brandon came into this world with club feet (both feet were turned
backward at birth and had to be reconstructed) and a dislocated hip, which,
when reattached to his hipbone, left one leg two inches shorter than the other.
Enduring years in the hospital to recover, his gift upon release, at age four,
was a Louis Armstrong concert. Inspired, he tried piano and sax before
receiving a St. George electric bass as a Christmas gift at age nine, to fill
out a band with his brother and sister. While his ears were soon drawn to the
jazz and pop rootings of Slam Stewart, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers,
James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, and Wilton Felder, playing flute in school
provided formal music training. Eventually, Brandon was told that he had
to learn upright if he wanted to be a “real bassist.” In response, he saved up
money through high school, bought a Czech bass, and began classical
lessons with a series of private teachers, including Barry Lieberman from the
L.A. Philharmonic.
Finding his footing among jazz groups in L.A., after college, Brandon got
an offer to join the Tommy Dorsey Band and see New York City, leading to
his first road stint—and the nickname “Brandino,” from Dorsey’s all-Italian
sax section. He returned home to find that his jazz connections were retiring,
so he refocused on his electric playing. While playing on a 1978 Chevy Chase
prime-time special, Brandon was asked by bandleader H.B. Barnum—who
was also Aretha Franklin’s musical director—to join the Queen of Soul’s road
band. Retaining the slot over the next 22 years helped Brandon ride the
fluctuating waves of L.A. session work, as did composing music for the soap
opera Santa Barbara from 1984 to ’92. With the more recent resurgence of
old-school players on projects by machine-raised artists, Kevin is once again
“hanging ten” with his skilled fingers. by Chris Jisi (Bass Player Magazine )
This is a collection of songs written for Musicians looking for harmonic and melodic development. Practice each song slowly to learn the correct notes and rhythms, and then execute them at the metronomic markings. A metronome, midi clock, or timing device with a click can be used to ensure proper execution of theses melodies from each song in this book. A piano score will be available later for duet performances.
This is the first of several editions that will become available. Later editions will have parts for other instruments. Group performances for any ensemble can be easily put together with combinations of the books. Upcoming, an e-version will also be released on DVD, using Sibelius Software to enable transposing these songs into any key, for any instrument, at any tempo, and will also feature live performances by Brandino playing these beautiful melodies in different contemporary styles.
Remember to have fun when playing music: this is a gift you can give to others.
--Brandino !
All Songs Written, Arranged, and Produced by Brandino
© 2010 Kevin Charles Brandon Music ( BMI )
All Rights Reserved. The songs in this book have been recorded on the following CD ’s :
Brandino’s “Midnight Fantasy”
N’ House Records Inc
Brandino’s “ Live ”
N’ House Records Inc.
Brandino and Friends “Live at Charlie O’s” N’ House Records Inc.
Brandino’s “The 7 String Bass”
N’ House Records Inc.
KEVIN CHARLES BRANDON PUBLISHING INC.
Kevin Charles Brandon Music ( BMI )
(818) 843-3154
EMAIL: nhouse@pacbell.net
WEBSITE: www.brandino.com
Editorial and Engraving assistance by
Doug Le Bow : www.lebowmusic.com
Partial proceeds from this book will be
donated to the non-profit organization
WWW. YOUCANDOITIFYOUTRY.ORG
to further the education of Youth, worldwide.
© 2012 All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized duplication is violation of the law