Nashville News by Dick Mc Vey
Kevin "Brandino" Brandon
www.brandino.com
From the streets of Compton, California to the most prestigious stages and recording studios in the world, Kevin Brandon is living the American dream. Brandino, as he is known, not only beat the odds of the "hood," he also overcame the physical problems presented by congenital club feet and a hip displacement. Born to loving parents into a talented family, Kevin has always had a passion for all styles of music and a zest for life.His family was very "instrumental" in his early musical development. At age four, his sister taught him the basics of playing piano and he learned to play by himself. At age seven his brother showed him how to play saxophone. By the time he was nine he could play several instruments. He wanted to play drums but his father feared it might be discouraging with his physical problems, so he took up bass guitar instead. That Christmas he got a St.George bass guitar that was obtained at a swap meet. His brother taught him some basic playing technique and positioning and Kevin took it from there.Kevin's on-stage career started in his brother's band. He recalls having to listen closely to the vinyl records of the time in order to hear the bass notes.
From the age of 13 and throughout high school, Kevin formally studied flute and acoustic bass, learning to sight-read. He played electric bass with the renowned Pico Rivera Stage Band where he learned the role of a bass player in a big band environment. The band and Kevin won many awards.
After high school, Kevin gave up a full scholarship to the University of Southern California to attend Cerritos and Long Beach Colleges known for their jazz programs.Soon after, he relocated to New York City and accepted an offer to play with Tommy Dorsey. Following that he returned to Los Angeles where he studied under such great bassists as David Borkenhagen, Nathaniel Gangursky, Ami Porat, and was a protégé of Barry Lieberman from the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
Since that time Kevin has had a long and successful career and, in addition to numerous sessions and live dates with some of music's greatest artists, has been Aretha Franklin's bass guitarist for the past 22 years.Kevin recalls his first recording session, "The first album I recorded was with a jazz piano player from Rochester, New York named Frank Strazzeri. I wasn't really nervous because I had been playing with his son and this was an album he was used to showcase his son's talent.
We had rehearsed for about a week so I was confident."Kevin says his most notable sessions as a person and a player were with Jimmy Smith and Stanley Turrentine. "I wasn't nervous, but after each of those sessions, there was a feeling that hit me that I had just recorded with a legend - the greatest organ player in the world and the greatest sax player in the world," Kevin states with pride. "I remember asking Jimmy why he even needed a bass player and he said, 'Cause I'm getting tired.'"Since then Kevin has recorded with a number of great artists that not only illustrate his great talent as a player, but his ability to be at home with any style of music from big band to rap.
A "short list" of his clients include Outkast,
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, The Beach Boys, Bobby Lyle, Lionel Hampton, Andre Crouch, Vanessa Williams, Snoop Dog, All For One, En Vogue and Al Jaureau.
How has recording changed over the years? "Obviously digital recording has taken over analog recording," Kevin answers quickly. "I think the kids today are schooled in the electronics, the technology and the politics of the music business, but I don't think they know the roots of their instrument like they should."As for his instruments, Kevin owns about many electric basses and 2 uprights. "I guess my favorite guitar as far as picking it up and immediately liking it was the Warwick," Kevin states. "It slams."
His vintage instruments include a 1955 and a 1959 P-Bass. What does he take to the studio? "I usually ask the producer or artist what they want," he answers. "They tell me what sound they are looking for, and then I decide what basses to take with me," Kevin relates. "Usually I'll go in with a Warwick Streamer with Seymour Duncan pickups, one of my Fenders - usually a '64 P Bass or a '61 Jazz Bass, and sometimes I'll take a G&L." For the Warwick Kevin says he generally prefers D'Addario or Warwick strings and uses 130 to 45 medium gauge on the five string bass. "I look for strings that make the instrument speak," Kevin states "I try different strings until I get the sound I want and then I stay with that string manufacturer for that instrument. All strings will not work with all instruments.
The Warwick bass definitely sounds better with Warwick or D'Addario strings."Kevin usually sends a direct feed to the board especially with the Warwick and the G&L that both have strong pre-amps. He says a lot of people are asking for live amps in the studio and, for contemporary music, he is sold on the Roland DB-500 bass amp. It has a 12-inch speaker, a horn and 160 watts of power. It also has modeling features that simulate a variety of tube and solid-state amps. He also uses an SWR with two 10's or an Eden with four 10's with direct outs on the back.
Kevin says he is currently having fun with some solo projects he admits he should have done a long time ago. "I have one album and I'm working on a second album that are written for instruments I have designed - like piccolo bass, six-string bass, acoustic bass," he says. "I've done the sideman thing. I've done TV and movies. I've done a lot of records. I've produced a lot of things. I've done a lot of things, and still do, but now I'm enjoying doing some things for myself."
posted by Brandino at 11:28 PM
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