Bassist Brandino – Bass Musician Magazine Q&A

Bassist Brandino – Bass Musician Magazine Interview… Get to know Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon in this Bass Musician Magazine Q&A!

Name:
Kevin “Brandino” Brandon

My Family Is From:
New Orleans, Louisiana

Was Born In:
South Central Los Angeles

Current Band(s) I Play With:
Brandino and Friends

Former Bands I Have Played With:

• Aretha Franklin 22 Years
• HB Barnum TV Orchestra Band 18 years
• Benjamin Wright String Orchestra (Currently)
• Robby Krieger (of the Doors), etc.

CD’s I’ve Released:

• Brandino- Midnight Fantasy
• Brandino – Live
• Brandino and Friends “Live at Charlie O’s”
• Brandino – Warwick 7 String Bass
• Brandino – White Chocolate

CD’s I’ve Been a Part Of: 

• Will.I.AM. (Black Eyed Peas) 2012
• Singularity by Robby Krieger of the Doors nominated Best Pop Instrumental Album of the Year 2011
• Michael Jackson’s album entitled Michael 2011
• OutKast’s coveted Grammy award winning CD’s for both “Album of the Year” as well as “Best Rap Album of the Year 2005
• 2007 Grammy-nominated “Album of the Year” and “Best Pop Vocal Album” by Justin Timberlake (FutureSex/Love Sounds)
• 2006 Grammy winning “Best R&B Album of the Year” Breakthrough by Mary J. Blige
• 2006 All Star Tribute Record release for Luther Vandross
• (The Grammy winning song So Amazing by artists Beyonce and Stevie Wonder)
• Brandy, J1, Jamiroquai, Richard Ashcroft, Jesse McCartney, Joss Stone, Jamie Foxx

All Music Guide listing (not complete):

• 1977 Celebration Mike Love Bass
• 1978 Wallflower Don Rader Bass
• 1980 La Toya Jackson La Toya Jackson Bass
• 1982 Love Changes O.C. Smith Bass
• 1983 Doctor Detroit Original Soundtrack Bass
• 1983 Spanish Wave L. Subramaniam Bass
• 1987 Body Body Mixing, Arranger
• 1987 No More Cold Nights Bert Robinson Drums, Bass, Percussion, Synthesizer Programming
• 1988 Guitar Workshop: Tribute to Otis Redding Various Artists Bass
• 1988 Desiree Desiree Coleman Programming, Bass, Drums, Production Coordination, Mixing, Percussion
• 1989 LA Place Stanley Turrentine Bass
• 1989 Ivory Dreams Bobby Lyle Bass
• 1993 Miki Sings Billie Miki Howard Bass
• 1993 Storyteller Vinx Bass
• 1995 Conversation Peace Stevie Wonder Percussion, Flute, Strings, Harp
• 1995 Conversation Peace Stevie Wonder Flute, Harp, Strings
• 1995 Move to Groove: The Best of 1970s Jazz-Funk Various Artists Bass
• 1996 Is That the Way to Your Heart Kazu Matsui Bass
• 1997 Adriana Evans Adriana Evans Bass
• 1998 Carlos Cuevas Carlos Cuevas Bass, Bajo Sexto
• 1998 Jazz Christmas [Windham Hill] Various Artists Bass
• 2000 Amores Cercanos Carlos Cuevas Bass
• 2000 Black Box of Jazz [Millenia] Various Artists
• 2000 Cinematix Robby Krieger Synthesizer, Assistant Producer, Drums, Bass
• 2001 Very Best of Miki Howard Miki Howard Bass
• 2001 With All That I Am Carol Duboc Bass
• 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below OutKast Double Bass
• 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below [Clean] OutKast Double Bass
• 2004 Stairway to Rock (Not Just) A Led Zeppelin Tribute Various Artists Engineer, Arranger, Art Direction, Bass
• 2005 Hazy Dreams: (Not Just) A Jimi Hendrix Tribute Various Artists Bass, Artistic Director, Arranger, Producer, Engineer
• 2006 Flow Lynne Fiddmont Engineer, Bass (Acoustic)
• 2006 FutureSex/LoveSounds Justin Timberlake Bass
• 2006 FutureSex/LoveSounds [Bonus Track] Justin Timberlake Bass
• 2006 FutureSex/LoveSounds [Clean] Justin Timberlake Bass
• 2006 Futuresex/Lovesounds [Deluxe Edition] Justin Timberlake Bass
• 2007 Introducing Joss Stone Joss Stone Bass
• 2007 Introducing Joss Stone [Deluxe Edition] Joss Stone Bass
• 2007 Introducing Joss Stone [Japan Bonus Tracks] Joss Stone Bass
• 2007 Back to Front The Temptations Double Bass
• 2009 Resurrection Ray Bailey Producer, Bass, Mixing, Mastering
• 2010 Singularity Robby Krieger
• 2010 Michael Michael Jackson Bass
• 2010 United Nations of Sounds Richard Ashcroft Bass
• 2008 Love & Life Eric Benét Bass
• 2006 Move by Yourself Donavon Frankenreiter Bass
• 2005 DynamiteJamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [Australian Import] Jamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [Australian Tour Edition] Jamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [DualDisc ] Jamiroquai Bass
• 1995 Memories, Music, Magic of Motown: Tribute to Berry Gordy Bass
• 2005 Dynamite Jamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [Australian Import] Jamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [Australian Tour Edition] Jamiroquai Bass
• 2005 Dynamite [DualDisc] Jamiroquai Bass
• 2008 Ego Trippin’ Snoop Dogg Bass

Describe The Way You Play Bass:
I play bass to support the situation I’m playing in, by making it feel good, locking in the time, and harmonically supporting the ensemble.

What Made Me Decide to Play Bass?
My brother needed a bass player in our family group so I was elected for the job and I’m glad I did because it opened my life up to a lot of great musical & memorable situations.

Musical Influences:
Slam Stewart, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, Chuck Rainey, James Jamerson, and Wilton Felder.

Favorite Musical Styles:
I like to play all styles of music on both acoustic and electric bass including classical, Jazz, R&B, Blues, Hip Hop, etc.

My (Basses):
Warwick Single Cut Thumb Bass 5 string my favorite right now; also Warwick Streamer 5-6-7-strings; Fretless Warwick Streamer 6; 1959 Fender Precision; 1961 Fender Jazz Bass; 1964 Fender Precision with JP setup; 2 Eastman 5 string acoustic basses; 1900 German round back acoustic bass; 1870 French flat back acoustic bass with low C extension; Brandon Bass 5-string electric upright (German and French-style bows)

My Amps and Other Gear:

Strings D’Addario XL ProSteels, D’Addario Helicore Orchestral and Hybrid (with low B).

Amps Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 head; Gallien-Krueger 1001RB-II head; Gallien Krueger MB1-12 and MB 2-10 combos;  Gallien-Krueger MB150E-III combo (for upright)

Recording BBE DI-1000 direct box (for electrics); D-TAR Soundspot, D-TAR Solstice Two-Channel Mixing/Blending System, CAD Trion 8000 mic (for upright)

Endorsed By:
Warwick Basses, Gallien-Krueger amplifiers, CAD microphones, IK Multimedia, M Audio, Levy’s Leather, BBE Sound, Presonus, Avid, D’Addario, Seymour Duncan, Roland Corp and many more.

Best Bass Advice You’ve Ever Received:
Make sure you finish school and keep your reading music skills together.

One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
Everybody has something to say on your instrument, so be influenced by the greats, but don’t copy them; be your own person and personality on your instrument, and then you will become great!

Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy:
If you work hard at your craft, have the tenacity to hold onto your dreams and have a work ethic to match, you can and will succeed!

Most Amazing Gig so Far:
Working with Aretha Franklin “the Queen of Soul” is probably the most spiritual gig anybody could be asked to perform with… A Great Honor.

Dream Gig:

• Get a call to be a MD on a Primetime Network TV Show
• To do My Bass & Comedy Show on TV
• To record with The Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, BB King
• And record with all the artists I haven’t recorded with yet!!

Best NAMM Moment:
Hanging out with my friends: Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, Jimmy Earl, John B Williams, and the list goes on.

Most Embarrassing Moment on Stage:
Breaking a string in the middle of a performance of Dream Girls; using a whammy bar on my bass and the string broke during the performance and since it’s a two-and-a-half hour show with no breaks in the bass part, I had to play the show with 3 strings modulating the bass score up and down the neck. (Believe me I never forgot that one).

Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass:
Make sure you have good road case and bring extra strings, cords, and guitar straps. Also, leave enough time to get to the airport on time or you will miss your flight.

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician?
A Scientist, A Baseball Player, A Millionaire – LOL!

The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share:
You didn’t ask me the question?

What You Can Look Forward From Me this Year: I’m working on my 2^nd Bass book “Brandino’s Melodies and Songbook” Vol 2 for All Treble and Bass Instruments. If time permits I will be releasing an acoustic and electric bass CD’s.

Brandino’s humanitarian organization for inner-city youth, called “You Can Do It If You Try,” is now affiliated with the broadcasting unit start-up South Central TV (SCTV), along with new programs targeted at the disadvantaged and disabled. These programs have been co-developed by Brandino’s non-profit and SCTV, which will hopefully be broadcasting in the summer of 2012 with support of city politicians and investors.

Find Me Online Websites:
professorbrandino.wordpress.com
brandinobass.wordpress.com
brandino.com
youcandoitifyoutry.org

Twitter
twitter.com/#!/Brandinobass

Facebook
facebook.com/profile.php?id=747372052