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Like many other drummers, from an early age, I found myself beating out rhythms on any stationary object. The desire to create sound, and find rhythm urged me to fill space and silence. I found the perfect voice for myself when I first sat behind a drum set. I believe it is the drum that chooses us. –Brian Andres
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio into a family of professional musicians it is no surprise that Brian found himself drawn to the origin of all music: Rhythm. His father is a woodwinds specialist and his mother a vocalist and pianist. The house was filled with the sounds of his father’s constant practicing and his mother’s piano and voice students.
After nearly being put up for adoption due to his constant banging on inanimate objects, his parents decided to embrace their obstreperous sons undeniable talent by purchasing him a drum set and themselves earplugs. There was no turning back for Brian. At the age of nineteen, armed with years of daily practice and countless lessons, Brian began playing professionally. The next ten years found him performing all over the Midwest and up and down the East Coast in musical groups as diverse as Rock, Jazz, Big Band, R & B, German Traditional, Blues, and Afro-Caribbean. |
While living in the Midwest, Brian’s diverse range of styles led him to performances with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Little Anthony and the Imperials, as well as Tony Award winner and Broadway star, Faith Prince. Brian has also shared the stage with such artists as Leroy "Sugar" Bonner from The Ohio Players, blues greats Sam Myers and Lonnie Mack and television and movie star, Woody Harrelson.
Brian's growing interest in Latin music and culture brought him to the San Francisco Bay Area in early 1999. He quickly began working with numerous local Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Latin funk, Latin jazz, and Tex-Mex groups. In 2000, Brian was asked to join a San Francisco Bay Area Icon, Dr Loco. Brian continues to perform with him in both The Rockin' Jalapeno Band and Los Tiburones Del Norte. Through working with Dr Loco, Brian was asked to record the original music soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Robert M. Young film, Alambrista: Directors Cut, along with Grammy nominated producer, Greg Landau. Brian also performed with "The Father of Chicano Music" and National Medal of Arts recipient, Lalo Guerrero, prior to his passing.
In 2007, after spending his career as a sideman, learning and honing his craft, Brian stepped into the role as bandleader. The San Francisco Bay Area was introduced to The Afro Cuban Jazz Cartel. Featuring the most sought after musicians the Bay Area has to offer, the group continues the rich heritage of San Francisco Bay Area Latin jazz. Incorporating the rich harmonic and improvisational elements of jazz with the irresistible rhythms from the Caribbean to form "the perfect combination", The ACJC has become one of the top Latin jazz groups in the Bay Area. With the release of their debut CD, Drummers Speak on Bacalao Records, they have already made a name for themselves, performing in such diverse venues as La Peña Cultural Center, the infamous Jazz at Pearls night club in North Beach, and the Sonoma Wine and Song Fest to name just a few.
Whether as a bandleader or as a sideman, Brian continues to perform at a high level, always welcoming new opportunities for expression and creativity while maintaining the protocol of a professional artist.
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