Genre: Fusion- World/Jazz/Rock and Classical

Sounds Like: David Arkenstone, Rick Wakeman, David Lanz, Mark Isham, Dave Grusin, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Keith Emerson

Influences: Monk, Brubeck, Beatles, Winwood, Yes, King Crimson, Chick Corea, Vanjelis, Michael Kamen

Location: Camano Island, Washington

Affiliation: ASCAP

Biography

Gary grew up in a small mill town in New England, demonstrating early on the eclectic mix of musical tastes and talents reflected in his work today.

By 13, he had taught himself piano, guitar, drums and accordion. He wrote and copyrighted his first song, Move Away, at the age of 15. His high school rock band won a number of 'battle of the bands' competitions which led to recording contracts.

After moving to the Northwest, he released one of the first Indie albums, titled Just a Word. Years later, in August 2004, Just a Word was digitally remastered and released as an anniversary edition. Patrick MacDonald, Seattle Times music critic, summed it up: "Exceptional piano work!"

In 2004 he released two CDs of instrumental music; Take Home Music and All of Us.

Gary's 2005 release, Imaginary Piano, a high-energy collection of jazz motifs, was released in May of 2005. He also released a short collection of original and classic Christmas solo piano music. Midnight Clear, which was released in October of 2005.

In May of 2006, he released a film short, A World Away, featuring the orchestral music of the same name.

In September of 2006, Gary was a recipient of the ASCAPlus Award for his contributions to Jazz.

Also in September of 2006, he released Legacy, a twenty song CD which includes 5 new compositions and his best work from several previous releases.

Bryant's unique talent of melding power rock with jazz and classical music shines on his 2007 project, Big World. Within its first month of release, he'd received more than one hundred thousand streams and downloads, reaching the Number 1 Jazz spot at SoundClick.com, featured Jazz selection at Garageband.com and the top ten Jazz play list at Broadjam.com.

In August of 2008, Gary released WildLife, a 13 track world rock fusion release, his 10th CD. These new upbeat instrumentals cross genres and generations draw on a palette of influence that includes classical, world, rock and jazz elements. It's New-Age Smashing Pumpkins. Squeezing Gary's music into a single genre has always been a challenge, New Age influences of David Lanz, George Winston and David Arkenstone are occasionally evident, but Gary's innate leanings towards Jazz Fusion and Prog Rock ala Yes, King Crimson, Blood Sweat & Tears is often evident.

Gary is a two time ASCAP award winner and is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).

Websites

www.garypaulbryant.com
www.wildlifethecd.com
www.airplaydirect.com/garypaulbryant

Recent News

Gary Paul Bryant's WildLife Set Free

Release

WildFire (August 1, 2008)
download one sheet
Retail: CD Baby | iTunes

Thirteen new upbeat instrumentals that cross genres and generations are offered on Gary Paul BryantŐs 10th CD. Following on the heels of Big World, Legacy and Imaginary Piano, WildLife draws on a palette of influence that includes classical, world, rock and jazz elements. ItŐs New-Age Smashing Pumpkins.

1 WildLife 3:56
2 One Cool Squirrel 3:17
3 Elephant in the Room 2:26
4 No Possum In My Pond 2:23
5 Cue the Moose 1:40
6 Licking a Low Tide 2:23
7 Schrieber Meadow Mellow 1:05
8 Storm on Sucia 2:42
9 Burning Hills 1:02
10 Barely a Polar Bear 4:49
11 Raptor Ridge 2:07
12 The Grand Stampede 3:13
13 Two Birds on a Boesendorfer 7:03

Reviews

"This high-energy collection is jazz influenced with a hint of classical elegance and a touch of New Age. Bryant fuses jazz, New Orleans blues and classical ballads into a new sound that is unique." - Accent

"There's a reason why Bryant licenses out his music, and that's because it has an openness and expressiveness that would make it ideal for movies." - Stephanie Sollow, Progressive World

"Compelling right off the top, drives all the way through- reminds me in some ways of John Lurie's stuff for the "Get Shorty" movie. The end reminded me of Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Porgy and Bess recordings. Highest compliments." - charliecheney, Fremont, Michigan

"Gary Paul Bryant is one helluva pianist. Seriously. He has jazz chops up one side and down the other." -Brett McCallon, Splendid

"As exuberant his attack on the opening piece, that's how delicate becomes his lyricism in subsequent pieces. And thus he blends a certain delicacy with exuberance and calls on jazz, blues, classical, carnival, and God-knows-what else to form a sound that is distinctly his own." - Nightflying: the Entertainment Guide

"Great production well worth the listen." - Promoter3, Scotland, United Kingdom

"The sax is off the chain... gotta say also, that the piano was beautiful. i like how the sax was the crazy one and the piano was the cool one... almost like a "good cop, bad cop" kinda thing... sound like you won the lotto. Very well done."- babybooda, Port Gibson, Mississippi

"...Excellent piano work!" - Patrick MacDonald, Seattle Times