Brawner Brothers Band
New York City, New York, United States
Music
Press
Instead “Blues Suite” felt enjoyable in an uncomplicated, theatrical way not least because of the onstage presence of the wonderful musicians Kenny Brawner and the Brawner Brothers, playing the accompanying songs, credited simply as “traditional.”
Before the curtain even rises, the sound of Mr. Brawner singing is the stuff of an immediate good mood. And when it does rise, on the dancers posed dramatically in an almost painterly chiaroscuro light, the force of Ailey’s theatricality is immediately compelling. - New York Times
Discography
This Is Where You Wanna Be; LP
Keep It Right There; LP
Photos
Bio
The Brawner Brothers Band is a dynamic jazz -funk group that infuses Blues, R&B and Latin elements into its extensive repertoire. The Harlem, New York based group has been highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, performing at some of the most prestigious music venues around the country. Kenny Brawner, a keyboardist, vocalist and composer, leads the group, which includes his brother Everett Brawner on bass. A guitarist, drummer and percussionist round out a tight rhythm section that is complimented by a powerful but fluid and smooth horn section.
Kenny plays his own distinctive style of Jazz, Funk, R&B and Blues. John Wilson of the New York Times once described his style as �rich, romantic with bold striking figures and a strong stomping beat.� Curt Davis of the New York Post described Kenny�s writing, playing and singing as �strong and assertive�. For nearly a decade he led and composed for a jazz-funk recording band called �Raw Sugar.� During that period, his funk composition Whups it on Me was chosen �Showstopper of the Week� on WBLS in New York, and another production collaboration with Onaje Allan Gumbs achieved a large degree of success.
The Brawner Brothers appear regularly in Jazz and Blues venues in the New York area and around the country, doing clubs, music festivals and college concerts. On the world stage they recently completed a month long tour in Turkey. Most recently they appeared live onstage with the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Theater for the Theater�s 50th anniversary season, performing the legendary Blues Suite, which generated rousing ovations and rave reviews, including one from the New York Times which said, �The Blues suite felt enjoyable in an uncomplicated theatrical way not least because of the wonderful musicians, Kenny Brawner and the Brawner Brothers playing the accompanying songs�The sound of Mr. Brawner singing is the stuff of an immediate good mood.� The Band is scheduled to reappear with the Dance Company in June 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The Brawner Brothers most recent album �This Is Where You Wanna Be� contains elements that epitomize the originality and versatility of the band. Along with some funky and bluesy original material, it includes rearrangements of jazz classics like Love For Sale, You Don�t Know What Love Is, a soulful treatment of Stevie Wonder�s Superstition and a Latin jazz interpretation of Cannonball Adderly�s Jive Samba.
Whether listening to their recorded music or experiencing the excitement of their live performances, you will agree, this is where you wanna be.
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