User:Brentberry1/sandbox

Born in Kansas City, MO in 1975 and raised on a diet of Fleetwood Mac and Journey, Brent started singing in church choirs and the bathtub. Took up "hoisting the hickory" around 11 and began studying jazz and marching band music. Joined The Old Shawnee Town Marching Band for a season and was recruited into the Kansas City St. Andrews Bagpipe Band at 13 to play the highland snare drum under the tutelage of Drum Sgt. Rick Southall

Finding a love for world and indigenous music Brent began studying with the Kansas City Traditional Music Society under Augustine Diaz, Pat Conway and Bird Flemming. As well as performing with Samba Du Mau.

In 1999 Brent struck up a relationship with Tom Johnson, composer/arranger for The Secondhands in Lawrence, KS while playing percussion in The Band That Saved The World and began work on his debut solo recording "Inland". In February of 2001, Brent released his debut solo full-length CD "Inland", on St Louis based Kick Save Records with The Roots Crew. "Inland" developed into a superb culmination of roots reggae, rocksteady, and folk music, and was well received by peers and critics alike. Touring the U.S. from 1999 through 2003. Brent and The Roots Crew released "Livin' and Lovin" (2001)' as well as Live at The Jazz Haus(2002).

Moving to Taos, NM in 2003 Brent began working on the Rio Grande as a photographer & river guide for Far Flung Adventures. Meeting local musicians James Rann and Dan Irion on the water the band Honest Abe was formed in 2004. Producer / engineer and bass player Jack "Joaquin" Wilson recorded the group in action for their first release "Monsoon" on 5th Son Records. Touring heavily through the Rockies and mid-west in support of "Monsoon" through to 2006.

In 2007 Brent Recorded "B-Sides" in Olathe, KS while writing. Returning to Taos, MM, The Brent Berry Band was formed. With more world beat and latin influences and the addition of percussionist Peggy Mathies, vocalist Kirry Nelson. James Rann and Max Paley. The band continued touring and recording the cd "Twenty Lives" in a cabin in Taos Canyon on a Tascam digital 8 track.