BRIAN WRIGHT

About Brian

Appreciated for his deep sense of musicality, tastefulness, and creativity on the drum set and in his compositions, Brian Wright has been somewhat of a musical chameleon, performing and recording with ensembles spanning across a wide spectrum of genres from swinging straight ahead jazz to experimental avant-garde improvised music to mainstream pop and rock. As a freelance session musician, Brian has recorded on over 50 albums, soundtracks, and television commercials. 

He holds a master’s degree in jazz studies from California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with renowned jazz drummer Joe La Barbera, bassists Charlie Haden and Darek Oles, guitarists Larry Koonse and Steve Cardenas, avant-garde trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, pianists David Roitsten and Alan Pasqua, and others. Brian also holds a bachelor's degree from Washington State University, where he studied with saxophonists Geof Bradfield, Horace Alexander-Young, Greg Yasinistky, percussionist Dave Jarvis, pianist Charles Argersinger, and others. Having performed and adjudicated at jazz festivals and universities, Brian has recorded in studios throughout the U.S., including work with Grammy Award-winning producers and engineers. 

From 2012-2017, Brian was a recording and touring member of pop band Pure Bathing Culture, where he toured throughout North America and Europe as a headlining act as well as opening for internationally-recognized bands. In 2022, Brian relocated to New Mexico, where he has been a guest artist, clinician, and part-time instructor at New Mexico State University where he teaches drum set lessons and leads a jazz combo. Since relocating, Brian has performed with artists such as trumpeter Terell Stafford, UK-based pianist Raffy Bushman, guitarist Steve Cardenas, and bassist Ben Allison.