Brandino ( Kevin Charles Brandon )

Kevin was born in Compton, California to loving parents, and into a talented family who where from richly            
diverse musical cities of Chicago , Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana.

From birth he has congenital club feet and a hip displacement , but  he did not allow this condition to deter    
him from pursuing his passion for music and the zest for life. Meeting Louis Armstrong  at one of  his      
concerts was also an inspiration in his early years...

Kevin was self-taught at the tender age of  4, playing his sister's piano and at age 7 he took up his
brother's saxophone, as he was gifted and enjoyed playing several instruments.
When he was 9 his father suggested that he find a dedicated instrument of his own to play.

Kevin wanted to play drums, however, his father thought with his handicap, eventually he would become
discouraged.His older brother had a band and persuaded him to play electric bass because it was needed.

Christmas of that year, Kevin  received his first bass, a St George bass obtained from a swap meet.
His brother taught him the basic technique and playing position, and the Kevin took it from there.

He listened to various musical styles from Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Big Band swing, Classical,
Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock.

During that time there were no stereo systems, stereo sound, or digital technology as we know it today.
There were only records players and vinyl records. Many bass notes were difficult to hear, so Kevin put
his ear over the record player as it played, to hear the bass notes for the songs he would play in his
brothers band.

At 13 years of age he began his formal musical training on the flute with Milton Hall from Watts,CA.
Acoustic bass began during this time with Mr Hamilton also from Watts as well, which he continued
through High School.

At Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin learn to read music on both instruments respectively.
The flute in treble clef and the bass in bass clef. He studied harmony, 20th century western music,
counterpoint, and took other music courses as well.In addition, he performed with the prestigious
all-city Pico Rivera Stage Band, yielding him the experience, and understanding of the bass player's
role in a big band. This band won numerous awards, and the Hollywood Bowl Competitions for
3 consecutive years. In this same band, Kevin received the Jazz Soloist Award at the Orange Coast
College Jazz Band Competitions.

After graduating from Pius the Tenth High School, Kevin earned a full scholarship to the University of
Southern California; however, his love for jazz prompted him to forego the USC Scholarship.
Instead he opted to attend Cerritos and Long Beach Colleges, know for their jazz programs.

Soon after, his desire to play professionally, and an opportunity to work with the Tommy Dorsey
Orchestra, relocated Kevin to New York City.

After his stint with Tommy Dorsey, he returned to Los Angeles, and also returned to his previous
classical acoustic bass training, studying under renowned bassist's: David Borkenhagen,
Nathaniel Gangursky, Ami Porat, and was a protege of Barry Lieberman from the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra.

While working in the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, Kevin finished his education at the University
of Long Beach.

As his career  escalated, Kevin has become a premier bassist /producer on the music  scene.
Today, he has found great success working with many of the world's top recording artists, entertainers,
musicians, and is involved in a myriad of events within the music, entertainment, television, multimedia,
web designing and film industries. In 2007 he was awarded by the National Association of Recording            
Arts and Science Double Grammy 's for his musicianship and participation on the 2007 Grammy         
Nominated " Album of the Year " and "Best Pop Vocal Album " Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/LoveSounds",     
2006 Best R&B Album of the Year "Breakthrough" by Mary J Blige , 2005 Beyonce and Stevie Wonder           
" So Amazing " single and the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year , Best Rap Album ,  " OUTKAST ".


Aretha Franklin 22 years               Tommy Dorsey Orchestra                     The Beach Boys
Stevie Wonder                                Jimmy Smith                                          Kenny G
Ray Charles                                     Stanley Turentine                                  Seals & Croft
James Brown                                   Joe Sample                                           Charlie Pride
Temptations                                     Freddie Hubbard                                    Beyonce
Melissa Manchester                          Barry White                                          Louis Bellison Orchestra
Gladys Knight                                   Luther Vandross                                    Joss Stone
Mary J Blidge                                   Bonnie Raitt                                          Justin Timberlake
Jamie Foxx                                      Nancy Wilson                                        Waylon Jennings
Dionne Warwick                               Gerald Wilson Orchestra                       Dianne Carroll         
Ashford & Simpson                           Joe Henderson                                      Jane Fricke           
Keith Washington                             Eddie Harris                                         
George Benson        
George Duke                                     Buddy Greco                                         Liza Minelli              

Vanessa Williams                             Diane Reeves                                        Robert Guillaume
Oleta Adams                                     Gabor Szabo                                        Ben Vereen
Mikki Howard                                    Kai Winding                                         Clint Holmes
La Toya Jackson                               Frank Rosolino                                     Barbara Cook
Vanity 6                                             Bobby Lyle                                           Liz Torres
Tony Toni Tone                                 Hubert Laws                                         The Four Aces
Patti La Belle                                    Phil Upchurch                                       Herb Alpert
Tremaine Hawkins                            Vinx                                                      Brillance
Chaka Khan                                      Mel Torme                                             Chevy Chase
Layla Hathaway                               Joe Williams                                          Goldie Hawn
The Emotions                                   Dr.L Supermania                                    Barbara Mc Nair
Bonnie Pointer                                 Della Reese                                           Kenny Rogers
Janice Mc Clain                                Dr. O C Smith                                        Lani Hall                   
Bert Robinson                                  Freda Payne                                          Marilyn Mc Coo
Desiree Coleman                             John Lucien                                          Billy Davis Jr.
The Whispers                                   John Klemmer                                      Mr.T
Irene Cara                                        Charles Lloyd                                       TommyTedesco
Vesta Williams                                 Lionel Hampton                                    Don Menza
Andre Crouch                                   Ernie Andrews                                       Frank Strazzeri
Tata Vega                                        Don Ellis Big Band                                 Mary J Blidge
La Vert                                             Barbara Morrison                                   Jesse Mc Cartney        
En Vogue                                         Ted Curson                                             Jamiroquai                   
Michael Franks                                 Al Jaureau                                             Martha Wash                
Marlena Shaw                                  Men at Large                                         Linda Hopkins              
Mavis Staples                                   David T Walker                                      Bobby Womack           
Shanice Wilson                                Tevin Campbell                                     Snoop DoggyDog
Aaron Hall                                        Peggi Blu                                               For Real                      
All For One                                       Jesse Mc Cartney                                   Jamiroquai

Paul Simon                                      Kenny Rogers                                         Bonnie Ratt