Brian Hudson - Next Level (2017)

Atlanta based drummer and studio musician, Brian Hudson steps into a new space with the release of his debut jazz/fusion album, Next Level. For the past 17 years Hudson has performed non-stop, both live and in the studio as a band member, or as a sideman with various artists covering a wide range of music including: Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter, Contemporary Christian, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Funk, Blues, and more. With the release of Next Level, aptly titled, Hudson moves into the role of bandleader.

Hudson grew up in Clearwater, Florida and started playing drums at the age of ten. He began, like many others, by banging on pots and pans and later took lessons from several local teachers where he studied drumming fundamentals and jazz music. He soon discovered Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, Joel Rosenblatt, Steve Smith, Will Kennedy and other great drummers who dominated the jazz/fusion and contemporary jazz scene. It was during his years in Clearwater that Hudson traces the beginning, and where he fell in love with jazz and jazz/fusion music. Seeing artists, such as Chick Corea’s Akoustic Band, Spyro Gyra, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl or Michel Camilo perform up close and personal in the Tampa Bay area had an enormous impact on his playing and his love for jazz/fusion music. This led to his lifelong dream to release a jazz/fusion album. Next Level fulfills that dream and steps forward his pursuit with his debut release.

Next Level blends jazz, jazz/fusion, funk and Latin with a contemporary jazz underpinning and features an all-star group of musicians who have performed and/or recorded with Dave Weckl Band, Mike Stern, Jimmy Haslip, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Loggins, Larry Carlton, Earl Klugh, Memory Dean, Quincy Jones, Barry Manilow, Brian Bromberg, Tyler Perry, Kirk Whalum, Stevie Wonder, The London Symphony Orchestra, Elton John, Matchbox 20, Arrested Development, Aretha Franklin, New Song, Steven Curtis Chapman and many more.

Musicians:
• Jazz/Fusion composer and keyboardist Randy Hoexter (Dave Weckl/Mike Stern/Jimmy Haslip) - keyboards and piano;
• Bassist extraordinaire Adam Nitti (Dave Weckl Band/Jeff Coffin/Carrie Underwood/Kenny Loggins) on four tracks;
• Atlanta groove monster Joe Reda (Larry Carlton/Earl Klugh) playing bass on the other four tracks;
• Sam Skelton (Quincy Jones/Barry Manilow/Brian Bromberg) on saxophones;
• Melvin Jones (Tyler Perry/Kirk Whalum/Dion Parsons) on trumpet; and
• Trey Wright (Trey Wright Trio/Squat) on electric and acoustic guitars.

Brian Hudson and Randy Hoexter composed all of the music and Hudson served as Executive Producer; Hoexter produced, engineered and mixed the album and Alex Lowe at Red Tuxedo mastered the album. The result is a hard-edged, yet melodic and engaging sound. One that will certainly create a lasting foundation of introduction to the Next Level.

About Brian Hudson:
Brian Hudson is an Atlanta based drummer and studio musician whose debut jazz/fusion album, Next Level, was released worldwide on August 18, 2017. In addition to his own band, Hudson performs as a member of roots rock band Memory Dean, soul/funk band Soulhound and with various other artists. Hudson tracks drums at various studios and remotely for artists around the world. He is on the advisory board for Georgia Music Partners and is a voting member of The Recording Academy. Brian plays and endorses Sakae Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Regal Tip Drumsticks, Headhunters Creations and Empire In-Ear Monitors.