The Jazz Descendants:
Juno-winner, bassist and composer, Brandi Disterheft has joined forces with long-time collaborator, pianist and composer, Joshua Goodman to create an album which draws from a mix of traditional jazz sources. Oscar Peterson commented about Brandi as, “She is what we call serious” and Joshua, who has been mentored by the piano great, Barry Harris, has a fresh set of standard-like compositions that swing beautifully. “Tranquility”, the first part of a ballad-medley by Joshua, is a homage to Barry and Thelonious Monk. While Brandi’s “Prayer to Release the Troops” is a powerful, stirring composition evocative of McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus and Ron Carter (who she currently studies with). On the album RED, legendary drummer, Leroy Williams, who has toured and recorded with Grammy-winning pianist Barry Harris for decades, completes the trio and contributes a playful Latin Jazz composition, “Rosita”.
Brandi Disterheft:
“She is what we call serious.” –Oscar Peterson
Jazz bassist Brandi Disterheft will stamp her name all over the next decade. Still in her twenties, Brandi’s premiere album “Debut” won her the 2008 JUNO and she’s already jammed her CV with concerts in Japan and Haiti, at jazz festivals in Vienna and Chicago, and has performed at Carnegie Hall.
A featured soloist with the Canada’s Pops Orchestra at age 21, Brandi began performing in her teens with her mother, a Chicago-born jazz pianist, and has since relocated to New York.
It is not only her fiery bass playing and charismatic performances that are making people take notice, but also her innovative writing style with influences all the way from Mingus to Bjork. Brandi’s sophomore recording, the luminous and intoxicating Second Side, features guests Holly Cole and Ranee Lee. The stunning new work uses lively, swinging grooves combined with touches of lush atmospheres with influences ranging from cool jazz to Brazilian pop.
Selected as the 2010 ambassador to Radio Canada (Revelation Recipient), Brandi also recorded as bassist on the 2011 Grammy nominated album “Pleased to Meet You” (Justin Time Records) featuring Oliver Jones and the
late Hank Jones.
“Somewhere along the way jazz has evolved into an introspective, dinner music. But, jazz in its prime day was completely lively and uplifting- it was celebratory music. That’s what I’m trying to bring back! I want to show especially the younger generation that jazz can have a huge back-beat. It’s always a thrill to play jazz music to a packed house where the audience is absolutely going crazy dancing!”
