Bryon Btrain Holley

Bryon “Btrain” Holley BiographyBryon etched his way into the music industry by arming himself with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in three categories, Jazz Performance, World Music and Ethnomusicology, from the California Institute of the Arts (Cal-Arts). His education combined with his studies under artists like David Garabaldi, Joe LaBarbara, William Kennedy, Alfred and Kobla Ladzekpo catapulted him into becoming a talented world drummer. Bryon learned to create his own beats and rhythms while paying homage to the traditional elements of drum works by studying under the guidance of Kakraba Lobi (West African Balafon), Poovalur Srinivason (South Indian Rhythm Studies), John Bergamo (World Percussion), and J. Nyoman Wenten (Balinese Monkey Chant). Bryon has also included singing in his musical repertoire with vocal performance studies, and in studio experience.Bryon is also a well-crafted studio musician with multiple percussion and vocal credits under his belt. He has recorded at the legendary Capital Records, Paramount Studios, and Westlake Audio, and has worked with Producers like Marti Fredricksen, John Baxter, Bob Esty, Michael Reid, and Stephen Hart. He is known for delivering high quality sound as well as precise rhythms and vocal tones that a Producer strives to capture. His recording career includes Afro-Brazilian (Woman of the Waters –Vida Vierra), Euro-Rock (Cucuk-Son of Slavster), Native American (Vision speaks-Wovoka), Funk-Soul-Rock (Ride-Mooshu Pie Train), Afro Celtic Rock (Trip-Bad Haggis) and Latin Fusion (Mi O’ Frendá-Ray Sandoval), just to name a few. It’s these diverse elements that distinguish Bryon as a “hired-gun” in the recording industry.Bryon’s Latest endeavor is “Btrain Music”. A term that not only reflects Bryon’s solo career but a close knit group of great musicians and producers working together for music design, sound design and production. This group uses the latest in music technology and instrumentation to create vast styles of music for all areas of TV, Film, Internet, and Radio. This group is available for, and very active in, live performances and touring as well as Clinics for youth education and studio performance.Bryon currently resides in Southern California where he continues to hone his skills in the musical melting pot of Los Angeles. According to Bryon, “Rhythm is in everything around us. It is the heartbeat of life that drives the world to turn. Something that powerful is worth spending a lifetime learning!” His diversity in music and skillful techniques can be seen all over Southern California night clubs and recording studios with artists like Colin Armstrong (Independent Artist), Duff (Chalkfarm, Independent Artist), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Ruben Blades (Latin musical legend), Armand Sabel-Lecco (Paul Simon, Seal), Perry Ferrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros), and Dave Boroff (George Benson, David Foster) -- all of which count on Bryon to deliver pacesetting beats during live performances and recording sessions.Performance Credits Armand Sabel-Lecco (Paul Simon, Seal) Arthur Leeland (Independent Artist) Alice Peacock (Independent Artist) Ben Schultz (Buddy Miles, Rod Stewart) Bill Churchville (Tower of Power) Billy Sheehan (Dennis Chambers, Steve Vai) Bob Esty (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler) Brandon Calhoon (Independent artist) Carmen & Camille (Independent artist) Charlie Haden (Pat Methany, Ornette Coleman) Chris Pierce (Independent Artist) Colin Armstrong (Independent Artist) Dave Boruff (David Foster, George Benson) Dave Brubeck (Jazz Legend) Dave Carpenter (Andy Summers, Allan Holdsworth) Dave Schulz (GooGoo Dolls, English Beat) David Cutler (Independent Composer) David Roitstein (Bruce Hornsby, Jaco Pastorius) Debby Holiday (Independent Artist) Derek Oleszkiewicz (Billy Higgins, Joe Lovano) Doug Lunn (Mark Isham, Vinnie Colaiuta) Duff (Chalk Farm, Independent Artist) Eric Rigler (Tracy Chapman, Josh Groban) Giovanna Imbesi (Narada Michael Walden) Guilherme Vergueiro (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Airto Moriera) Holly Palmer (Independent Artist) Ivan Neville (Neville Brothers) Isaac Hayes (R&B Musical Legend) Jason Hook (Vince Neil, Hillary Duff) Jeff Finlin (Independent Artist) Joe LaBarbara (JohnScofield, Bill Evans) John Avila (Oingo Boingo, Rob Mullins) John Baxter (Reflex, Independent Producer) John Butcher (Independent Artist) Jovino Santos Neto (Hermeto Pascoal, Sergio Mendes Jimmy Mahlis (Ivan Neville, Russell Ferrante) Larry Koonse (Billy Childs, Mel Torme) Lee Sklar (Phil Collins, JamesTaylor) Liz Barnez (Independent Artist) Mama’s Kitchen (Independent Artist) Mark Isham (LA Film Composer, Rolling Stones) Marti Frederiksen (LA Producer, Aerosmith) Mick Linden (Brand X, Hassan Hakmoun) Miroslav Tadic (Maria Joao, Howard Levy) Mike Hoffman (Tony Williams, Ed Mann) Mikal Reid (LA Producer, Wang Chung) Mooshu Pie Train (Independent Artist) Otmaro Ruiz (John McLaughlin, Steve Winwood) Paige (Phish) Perry Farrell (Janes Addiction, Porno for Pyros) Rachel Gaudry (Independent Artist) Ray Sandoval (Independent Artist) Rene Camacho (Celia Cruz, Tito Puente) Ruben Blades (Latin Musical Legend) Steve Foreman (Lee Ritenour, Anthony Jackson) Steve Tavaglione (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston) Steve Vai (Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth) Taylor Dane (Rock Diva) Tao of Groove with Roy Shakked Travis Allen (LA/Nashville Producer, Diamond Rio) Txell Sust (Alejandro Sanz) William Kennedy (Yellowjackets, Bobby McFerrin) Woody Aplanap (Trilok Gurtu, Thomas Mapfumo) Superbowl XXXVIII ESPN Kick-Off Party, Mooshu Pie TrainDesert Aids Project “One Night Only” (Cast: Carol Channing, Rod McKuen, Sally Kellerman, JoAnne Worley, Loretta Devine, Lainie Kazan, Chris Calloway, Lorna Luft, Lily Tomlin)Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival 1991 Mike LaMacchia Quintet, 1992 Matt Cowan Trio 1986 World Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corp 1986 High Drum Award Concord Blue Devils