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Brian Landrus
After 12 albums as a leader, multi-instrumentalist and composer Dr. Brian Landrus has become an internationally recognized low woodwind artist. Landrus specializes on the low woodwind family, specifically: baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, alto flute, and bass flute. As a composer, Landrus has written for solo instrument to symphony orchestra.
Landrus consistently places in the critics polls of the year in Downbeat Magazine and JazzTimes International Critics Polls. Landrus was awarded “Rising Star” in the 2021 for bass clarinet and 2015 for baritone. Landrus’ 2020 release For Now, was chosen as Editor’s Pick in both Downbeat and JazzTimes. Landrus’ 25-piece orchestral album Generations, was named one of the best recordings of the year by NPR, Downbeat Magazine, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazziz, Boston Globe and many other international publications. The New York Times wrote “With Generations, Mr. Landrus takes the jazz big band tradition into the mesosphere.”
Landrus’ 2020 release, For Now, was released on BlueLand Records on May 15, 2020. For Now features: Brian Landrus-bari sax, bass clarinet, alto and c flutes, Fred Hersch-piano, Drew Gress-bass, Billy Hart-drums, Mike Rodriguez-trumpet, Sara Caswell-violin, Joyce Hammann-violin, Lois Martin-viola, and Jody Redhage-Ferber-cello. It was produced by Dr. Bob Aldridge and Herschel Garfein. It was recorded and mixed in NYC by Chris Allen and John Kilgore. For Now has already received over forty glowing reviews from international publications.
Based in Brooklyn, Landrus founded his label, BlueLand Records, in 2010. His first releases of all original music via BlueLand were Traverse (a quartet date with Lonnie Plaxico, Billy Hart and pianist Michael Cain) and Capsule (by the Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope, with Cain, guitarist Nir Felder, bassist Matthew Parish, drummer Rudy Royston). In 2013, Landrus released a second Kaleidoscope album, Mirage, featuring himself on baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet and bass flute alongside Felder, Royston, Plaxico on acoustic and electric bass, Frank Carlberg on Rhodes/piano and a string quartet led by violinist Mark Feldman. The New York Times praised Landrus and Mirage at length, pointing out that “the tenderness in his playing feels as warm and accessible as his writing.” Landrus’ 2015 release, The Deep Below, features Landrus on baritone and bass saxophones, bass clarinet, and bass flute, with Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. Landrus was voted #1 Rising Star Baritonist in Downbeat Magazine’s 2015 Critics Poll and The Deep Below has been called “A star vehicle” by The New York Times.
Landrus has performed with some of the world’s great musicians including: Fred Hersch, Robert Livingston Aldridge, Herschel Garfein, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Esperanza Spalding, Feist, Ken Schaphorst Orchestra, Rakalam Bob Moses, Gil Evans Orchestra, George Garzone, The Temptations, The Drifters, Michael Cain, The Four Tops, Darcy James Argue, West Side Story-NYC Broadway, Guy & Dolls-NYC Broadway, Rufus Reid, The Coasters, Frank Carlberg, Ayn Inserto, Matt Wilson, The Beach Boys, Anat Cohen, David Ake, Jerry Bergonzi, Lonnie Plaxico, Billy Hart, Ralph Alessi, Jay Anderson, Uri Caine, Brad Shepik, Donny McCaslin, Harvie S, Scott Robinson, Bob Brookmeyer, Steve Wilson, Drew Gress, Peter Epstein, Roni Ben Hur, Victor Lewis, Jamie Baum, Justin Brown, Igmar Thomas, Ben Williams, Marcus Strickland, Marc Cary, Mark Feldman, Joyce Hammann, Jody Redhage-Ferber, Sara Caswell, Frank Kimborough, Brian Lynch, Michael Rodriguez, Roscoe Mitchell, Robert Dick, Groundation, Conrad Herwig, Ravi Coltrane, Danilo Perez, Ben Monder, Matthew Parish, Nir Felder, Brandee Younger, Joe Locke, Darryl Harper, Alan Ferber, Mark Ferber, Lewis Nash, Greg Gisberg, Mark Whitfield, Martha Reeves, Chubby Checker, Bob Berg, Joey Defrancesco, Leo Genovese, Frank London, Gatemouth Brown, Jason Palmer, and many more.
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Brian Landrus: Plays Ellington & Strayhorn
by Angelo Leonardi
In questo nuovo album, Brian Landrus esalta la magniloquenza della sua timbrica grave con l'ampia gamma di strumenti che usa: non solo i prediletti sax baritono e clarinetto basso ma sax basso, flauto basso, flauto contralto, clarinetto contralto, ottavino e vari altri. La scelta del celeberrimo songbook di Duke Ellington e Billy Strayhorn è piuttosto insidiosa, per la difficoltà di trovare una chiave di lettura originale in un repertorio abusato, ma Landrus ha trovato la sua via: «Ascoltando questi ...
Continue ReadingBrian Landrus: Plays Ellington & Strayhorn
by Jack Bowers
When gathering material for a new recording, one time-honored rule of thumb is that it is hard to stray too far off course when revisiting the musical handiwork of renowned composer Duke Ellington and/or the Duke's virtuosic alter ego, Billy Strayhorn--even if one chooses to lead with an Ellington theme as relatively unknown as “Agra" from 1967's Far East Suite, which baritone saxophonist Brian Landrus does on Plays Ellington & Strayhorn, a graceful and stylish quartet date that also encompasses ...
Continue ReadingTradition And Innovation
by Bob Osborne
The roots of jazz are firmly embedded in African culture. From that tradition, the music has expanded and been absorbed by other cultures and countries. From its birth in the USA, the music has grown to embrace the world and in doing so has developed in new and exciting ways. This show features all new innovative releases from predominantly the States but also taking in European, Asian and Latin American musicians. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Jeff Coffin “Here ...
Continue ReadingBrian Landrus: AGRA
by John Chacona
The palette of Duke Ellington, jazz's first notable colorist--and arguably its greatest--drew on a range of instrumental hues that might still be unmatched in jazz history. Picking one as the essential pigment in the Orchestra's sound is a fool's errand. But here goes: it was Harry Carney's baritone saxophone, without which the Ellington sonic signature is inconceivable. So it makes perfect sense that Brian Landrus, a baritone specialist, drew from the deep well of Ellingtonia for Plays Ellington and Strayhorn ...
Continue ReadingBrian Landrus, George Russell and Others
by Jerome Wilson
This show features different styles of jazz music, such as sleek large ensemble work from Brian Landrus and George Russell and trios led by Charles Lloyd, Jaki Byard and Frank Kimbrough. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Corey Wilkes & Abstrakt Pulse “Visionary of an Abstrakt" from Cries From Tha Ghetto (Pi) 00:58 Don Thompson “September" from Forgotten Memories ...
Continue ReadingBrian Landrus: Red List
by Jerome Wilson
Saxophonist Brian Landrus created this project with a purpose summed up in its subtitle, Music Dedicated to the Preservation of our Endangered Species. The album was made to create awareness about all the animal species on Earth in danger of extinction, thirteen of which are explicitly referenced here. For most of these, such as the Malayan tiger and the snow leopard, only a few hundreds or thousands are still alive. For the Javan rhino, there were only 67 left at ...
Continue ReadingBrian Landrus: Red List
by Jack Bowers
No matter how one receives his music, there is no doubt that woodwind specialist Brian Landrus' heart is in the right place. Red List, his eleventh album as leader, is dedicated to the preservation of Earth's endangered animal species. Landrus names thirteen, at least five of which--the kakapo, Malayan tiger, gharial, vaquita and Javan rhino--are all but gone, with less than three hundred of each species remaining. In fact, it is estimated that only eight vaquitas (a species of porpoise ...
Continue ReadingAll About Jazz Top 10 MP3 Downloads: July 2017
Source:
All About Jazz
All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in July, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total downloads. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! EDITOR'S PICKS Jeru Concerto, Mvmt. 1 4:26 Brian Landrus From: Generations Battle Hymn of the Old Republic 6:00 ...
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Rockwired.com's All New Jazzed and Blue Podcast Features Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope, Kenny Love and Barbara Martin
Source:
Rockwired Media LLC
The weekly online radio series Jazzed and Blue: Profiles in Blues and Jazz is back and is now available for download at Rockwired.com. Todays' edition is a best of retrospective featuring music and exclusive interviews with baritone saxophonist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaliedoscope, saxophonist Kenny Love and singer songwriter Barbara Martin. Brian Landrus is a once in a generation musician, and Capsule, the new album by his captivating electro-acoustic quintet The Landrus Kaleidoscope, offers a sonically expansive body of ...
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Brian Landrus/the Landrus Kaleidoscope - Capsule (2011)
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Something Else!
Brian Landrus is one of the fast rising artists on the NYC jazz scene; so much so that it was only in 2009 his debut album Forward came out and now in 2011, we are here talking about his third release of 2011, Capsule. This master of the low instruments like the baritone sax, bass clarinet and bass flute, has a unique, natural sound for these instruments that never sound labored or forced. That's one of his unique attributes that ...
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Rockwired.Com's "Jazzed and Blue" Presents: Baritone Saxophonist and Bass Clarinetist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope and Their New CD "Capsule"
Source:
Rockwired Media LLC
The latest edition of Jazzed and Blue: Profiles in Blues and Jazz is now available for download at Rockwired.com and features an exclusive interview with baritone saxophonist and bass clarinetist Brian Landrus of The Landrus Kaleidoscope and their latest CD “Capsule." In the opening segment Landrus discusses the inspiration behind the buoyant sound featured on his adventurous CD, working with the electro-acoustic quintet The Landrus Kaleidoscope and the inspiration behind such choice cuts as Striped Phase, Like The Wind and ...
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Brain Landrus Wields the Baritone with Dexterity on "Traverse"
Source:
Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards
Brian Landrus is a new-ish voice on the baritone. He has one album out on Cadence Jazz. The new one Traverse is on his own BlueLand Records (2011A). It's a quartet date with the potent lineup of Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Michael Cain, piano, and the always swinging Billy Hart on the drums. It's a contemporary date with good blowing vehicles devised by Landrus himself or in collaboration with Michale Cain. The “Body and Soul" perennial rounds out the set. ...
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Brian Landrus - Traverse (Blue Land Records, 2011)
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Music and More by Tim Niland
I grew up listening to baritone saxophone hero Nick Brignola play all around the Capital District, so it's nice to hear a younger musician pick up the big horn and continue the tradition of swinging mainstream jazz. On this album, Brian Landrus plays baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, along with Michael Cain on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Billy Hart on drums. Opening with the title composition “Traverse," the music is a mellow quartet improvisation, swinging, with nicely controlled ...
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Baritone Saxophonist Brian Landrus Releases Powerful New CD "Traverse"
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
With pianist Michael Cain (piano and co-producer), bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Billy Hart “A poet who has a mastery of tone, something he explores with gravity and a very gentle swing... Landrus is a voice to watch out for as he charts a creative course in music." —Raul d'Gama Rose, All About Jazz Baritone Saxophone Rising Star —DownBeat Magazine 2010 International Critics Poll Brian Landrus is quickly becoming recognized as one of his generation's most unique, passionate, and powerful ...
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Brian Landrus - Forward (Cadence Jazz Records)
Source:
Master of a Small House
Caliber of teacher is often a reliable gauge for quality of student. Evidence of the truth in that relational adage, reedist Brian Landrus came under the tutelage of a number of jazz luminaries over the course of his educational endeavors. Several of those able to join him on this debut recording include saxophonists George Garzone and Allan Chase, pianist Michael Cain, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Rakalam Bob Moses. Heavy company to be sure, but Landrus is well up to ...
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"Forward," the Debut Release by Brian Landrus Now Available on Cadence Jazz Records
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
With George Garzone, Allan Chase, Jason Palmer, Michael Cain, John Lockwood, Bob Moses & Tupac Mantilla
“A rare and welcome thing. Keep your eyes and ears peeled-he is worth it." -- Bob Brookmeyer“The first time I heard Brian, I knew he was a real player. What he does is so natural and organic that it always sounded magical to me. I am a fan." -- Jerry BergonziMulti-instrumentalist Brian Landrus is quickly becoming known as one ...
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“ A commanding voice on both baritone saxophone and bass clarinet” - WBGO, Nate Chinen “A baritone saxophonist of convincing authority” - New York Times “With baritone saxophone in hand, Landrus surfs swinging currents through “The Signs,” waltzes in step and style across “The Miss,” and engages in a spellbinding after-hours duologue with Hersch on Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear.” Wielding an alto flute on “The Night of Change,” he adopts an attractive glow-and- flow aesthetic.” - JazzTimes Magazine “A composer of great strength and substance,” - All About Jazz “His bari flutters with utmost grace, his bass clarinet sobs for humanity and his alto flute floats cloud-like through moody skies
Photos
Music
Agra
From: Plays Ellington & StrayhornBy Brian Landrus
The Miss
From: For NowBy Brian Landrus
Jeru Concerto, Mvmt. 1
From: GenerationsBy Brian Landrus
Fly
From: The Deep BelowBy Brian Landrus
Videos
Brian Landrus
Location: New York City
Instrument: Saxophone, baritone
Born: September 14, 1978
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
