So Where To Today?

He’s been called a contemporary Stanley Clarke, by none other than Smooth Jazz legend and inspiration Najee. He’s also been compared to Marcus Miller for his writing and producing skills. When told of these accolades, Blair just shrugs his shoulder and smiles. Looking down at the ground he says “Wow that’s crazy! But I put my heart and soul into every project.” At the young age of 31 Blair is carving his own path, achieving (4) Top 15 singles on the Billboard, Mediabase , Groovejazz.com and SmoothJazz Network charts, plus (4) Top 100 year-end singles ranked for the past 4 years. A consistent hit maker, Blair enjoys regular national radio airplay on Sirius XM Watercolors, Stingray, Music Choice and I- Heart Radio among others. That’s pretty heady stuff, but to anyone who knows contemporary jazz music and takes a listen to Bryant’s ever- growing catalogue, the accolades are not unfounded. Blair Bryant is a special musician. Born in Kansas City, Missouri and spending his early developing years living in Miami, Detroit and Chicago with his parents in and out of churches hearing the best gospel music possible, he has absorbed the full music tradition. Coupled with his love for jazz, he has demonstrated a musical ability beyond his years, with a specific level of skill, richness and detail in his recordings and compositions. We already saw with his first 3 releases “New Colours,” “Gold” and “Cerulean Blue” that this kid could write, produce and play numerous instruments (14) extremely well. But after getting his Jazz Studies degree from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and currently on tour as the Musical Director for Jazz-legend Najee, it’s time to start talking about him and his virtuosity for what it is- genius level talent. Accomplished musicians such as Darren Rahn, Greg Manning, Blake Aaron, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Nic Colionne, Jonathan Butler, Bobby Lyle, Poogie Bell, Najee and others have remarked on his unusual talent and phenomenal ability to play bass. Blair has also performed with: Alex Bugnon, Eric Roberson, Mike Phillips, Blake Aaron, Phil Perry, Althea Rene, Elan Troutman, Kim Scott, Jeff Bradshaw and many other luminaries. But the true measure of his gift lies in the unique way he plays the bass and the emotions that he evokes. His musical influences are varied and represent titans of the craft including: Joe Sample, George Duke, Stevie Wonder and Najee to name a few. Blair’s sound is his calling card, full, lush and layered with poly rhythms. Recording since the age of 16, he has amassed a catalogue of thousands of songs that will hopefully be released over his recording career.