Brett Crook
Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2000 | INDIE
Music
Press
BEST BONA FIDE SOUL REVIEW:
The Joint Chiefs
It all started as sort of a fluke with local musical respectables Brian Chodorcoff and Eugene Snowden dreaming up something of a Stax homage to tie up their mutual improvisational edges. What resulted brought together more veteran loose ends -- including almost famous rock god Jeff Nolan, virginwool's Brett Crook and Longhauler Ralph Amaduri. Like most inspired outings, each Joint Chiefs gig sweats a different tune, with frontman Snowden often stumbling through the gathered crowd like a man possessed, eliciting the most collective excitement this side of Tina Turner's hemline … and Ike's hairline. It all makes for a shimmering crown to Orlando's ever evolving rhythm scene, as the Joint Chiefs take the well-toiled skills of their respective rock and rhythm pasts, and make everything old new again. - Orlando Weekly's Best OF
The JC's are not simply a revival show, but they know their roots. Complementing Chodorcoff's guitar and Snowden's electric showmanship on vocals and percussion are keyboardist/guitarist Jeff Nolan and virginwool bandmates Adam Loewy on bass and Brett Crook pounding skins. Mr. Crook knows funky as a former beat-tender for the sadly departed Big Shirley and it's a treat to see "Bamm-Bamm" slippin' it funky again.
It's definitely the sexy soul that KGFJ used to play out in L.A. back in the Day.
The band pays sweet homage to old-school rhythm and blues, straight out of the southern Baptist churches and on through the aforementioned Staxx sound which later included Isaac Hayes. - Orlando Weekly
Discography
*Virginwool, Open Heart Surgery, Atlantic Records
*Big Shirley, Funkasm, KingSnake Records
*The Legendary JC's, Lonesome Soul Revue, High Fidelity Records, 2 Independent releases
*Ruby James, Independent
*The 69 Boys, Atlantic Records
* BEST OF ORLANDO Compiliation - multiple years, mulitiple artists.
Photos
Bio
Brett was born in the Deep South, Atlanta, GA and grew up listening and playing drums to records by Earth Wind Fire, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, James Gang, James Brown, & AC/DC. The fertile music bed of the south is where Brett's soulful, heavy, & funky style was born.
His Mother was a singer in a traveling Sister Act and with the performance bug in his blood Brett started performing at an early age. He got his first drum kit from the Sears catalog, which he fittingly destroyed. At the age of 10yrs old Brett was orchestrating marching drum lines using pieces of the kit and a few neighborhood friends.
After his high school garage band days he moved to L.A. where he paid dues on the strip with numerous acts including Robert Sarzo, Jaded Apes, Stev Thomas, and others. While in L.A. Brett studied with Roy Burns (Aquarian) & Charlie Adams (Yanni).
Brett returned to his Florida stomping grounds where he helped form influential Central Florida bands like Pendulum Swing, Southern funk favorites and Orlando’s 1997 Band of The Year, Big Shirley, Atlantic Records pop rockers Virginwool, & Super Soul group The Legendary JC's.
He joined Atlantic Records act Virginwool and toured in support of the 2001 release of Open Heart Surgery, which sold 50,000 copies. A tour with Hootie & The Blowfish followed where Brett played percussion for a string of sold out Theater gigs with the multi-platinum band.
Brett spent the next 2 years with The Legendary JCs - recording and touring the southeast - leaving a trail of floored fans with their blistering blend of soul, blues, and rock. Brett also recorded and toured with RUBY JAMES, UMOJA, and numerous other Orlando favorites.
Brett has performed with Jazz Legend Sam Rivers, BB King, P-Funk, James Brown, GALACTIC, Fishbone, Sun Ra, Rick James, and many more.
Brett was also the Featured Drummer at Disney's Tarzan Rocks show at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL. where he performed in front of 7000 guests daily.
South Florida Theater performances include The Stage Door Theatre's production of the Broadway Hit, "Aint Misbehavin'" and Tony Santamauro's "Day After Day". In addition Brett is involved with numerous recording and live projects in Miami, FL.
Currently working with heavy Country Rock outfit SOULCREEK, a 6 piece southern rock band whose roots are dug deep in the south. New record and tour dates to be announced in 2012.
Brett is an Artist Endorsee with Pearl Drums and Sabian Cymbals.
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