User:Brandino

www.brandino.com'Brandino'--Brandino ! 07:24, 21 June 2013 (UTC)

Brandino ( Kevin Charles Brandon )

Kevin was born in Willowbrook/Compton, California to loving parents, and into a talented family who where from richly diverse musical cities of Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana.From birth he has congenital club feet and a hip displacement , but he did not allow this condition to deter him from pursuing his passion for music and the zest for life. Meeting Louis Armstrong at the age of 5 at one of  his concerts was also an inspiration in his early years... Kevin was self-taught at the tender age of 4, playing his sister's piano and at age 7 he took up his brother's saxophone, as he was gifted and enjoyed playing several instruments. When he was 9 his father suggested that he find a dedicated instrument of his own to play. Kevin wanted to play drums, however, his father thought with his handicap, eventually he would become discouraged.His older brother had a band and persuaded him to play electric bass because it was needed.Christmas of that year, Kevin received his first bass,              a St George bass obtained from a swap meet. His brother taught him the basic technique and playing position, and the Kevin took it from there. He listened to various musical styles from Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Big Band swing, Classical, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock. During that time there were no stereo systems, stereo sound, or digital technology as we know it today.There were only records players and vinyl records. Many bass notes were difficult to hear, so Kevin put his ear over the record player as it played, to hear the bass notes for the songs he would play in his brothers band.

At 13 years of age he began his formal musical training on the flute with Milton Hall from Watts,CA. Acoustic bass began during this time with Mr Hamilton also from Watts as well, which he continued through High School. At Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin learn to read music on both instruments respectively. The flute in treble clef and the bass in bass clef. He studied harmony, 20th century western music, counterpoint, and took other music courses as well.In addition, he performed with the prestigious all-city Pico Rivera Stage Band, yielding him the experience, and understanding of the bass player's role in a big band. This band won numerous awards, and the Hollywood Bowl Competitions for 3 consecutive years. In this same band,          Kevin received the Jazz Soloist Award at the Orange Coast College Jazz Band Competitions. After graduating from Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin earned a full scholarship to the University of Southern California; however, his love for jazz prompted him to forego the USC Scholarship.

Instead he opted to attend Cerritos and Long Beach Colleges, know for their jazz programs. Soon after, his desire to play professionally, and an opportunity to work with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, relocated Kevin to New York City. After his stint with Tommy Dorsey, he returned to Los Angeles, and also returned to his previous classical acoustic bass training, studying under renowned bassist's: David Borkenhagen, Nathaniel Gangursky, Ami Porat, and was a protege of Barry Lieberman from the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. While working in the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, Kevin finished his education at the University of Long Beach. As his career escalated, Kevin has become a premier bassist /producer on the music scene. Today, he has found great success working with many of the world's top recording artists, entertainers, musicians, and is involved in a myriad of events within the music, entertainment, television, multimedia, web designing and film industries. In 2007 he was awarded by the National Association of Recording  Arts and Science Double Grammy 's for his musicianship and participation on the 2007 Grammy  Nominated " Album of the Year " and "Best Pop Vocal Album " Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/LoveSounds", 2006 Best R&B Album of the Year "Breakthrough" by Mary J Blige, 2005 Beyonce and Stevie Wonder " So Amazing " single and the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year , Best Rap Album ,  " OUTKAST ".

Some of the list of recording artists he has recorded with are Aretha Franklin Tommy Dorsey Orchestra The Beach Boys Stevie Wonder Jimmy Smith Kenny G Ray Charles Stanley Turentine Seals & Croft James Brown Joe Sample Charlie Pride Temptations Freddie Hubbard Beyonce Melissa Manchester Barry White Louis Bellison Orchestra Gladys Knight Luther Vandross Joss Stone Mary J Blidge Bonnie Raitt Justin Timberlake Jamie Foxx Nancy Wilson Waylon Jennings Dionne Warwick Gerald Wilson Orchestra Dianne Carroll Ashford & Simpson Joe Henderson Jane Fricke Keith Washington Eddie Harris George Benson George Duke Buddy Greco Liza Minelli Vanessa Williams Diane Reeves Robert Guillaume Oleta Adams Gabor Szabo Ben Vereen Mikki Howard Kai Winding Clint Holmes La Toya Jackson Frank Rosolino Barbara Cook Vanity 6 Bobby Lyle Liz Torres Tony Toni Tone Hubert Laws The Four Aces Patti La Belle Phil Upchurch Herb Alpert Tremaine Hawkins Vinx Brillance Chaka Khan Mel Torme Chevy Chase Layla Hathaway Joe Williams Goldie Hawn The Emotions Dr.L Supermania Barbara Mc Nair Bonnie Pointer Della Reese Kenny Rogers Janice Mc Clain Dr. O C Smith Lani Hall Bert Robinson Freda Payne Marilyn Mc Coo Desiree Coleman John Lucien Billy Davis Jr. The Whispers John Klemmer Mr.T Irene Cara Charles Lloyd Tommy Tedesco Vesta Williams Lionel Hampton Don Menza Andre Crouch Ernie Andrews Frank Strazzeri Tata Vega Don Ellis Big Band Mary J Blidge La Vert Barbara Morrison Jesse Mc Cartney En Vogue Ted Curson Jamiroquai Michael Franks Al Jaureau Martha Wash Marlena Shaw Men at Large Linda Hopkins Mavis Staples David T Walker Bobby Womack Shanice Wilson Tevin Campbell Snoop Doggy Dog Aaron Hall Peggi Blu For Real All For One Jesse Mc Cartney Jamiroquai Paul Simon Kenny Rogers Bonnie Ratt to name of few.