Mike Brannon & Synergy

“Sly, technically breathtaking work.” - Hilarie Grey/JazzTimes
“Brannon handles lines and textures with that same silent fire that lights up this whole CD." - Jazz Review
“ Mike Brannon’s guitar has an impressive architectural sense and emotional warmth, even at high velocity. Works for me.” - Brian Glasser/Jazzwise (UK)
“ Smart, savvy, atmospheric yet powerful, and takes the fusion, jazz or rock listener on a great ride that they’ll want to visit again. Highly recommended.” – Jazz Review
"Ambient, funky jazz built around guitarist Mike Brannon. Shades of Scofield and Metheny certainly, but assured in its own right." - Guitar Techniques (UK)
"Happening! Your writing is really exciting; as well as your playing. Your choice of players is excellent. All of my best wishes." - Pat Martino
"Beautifully dark and funky." - Paul Wertico
"Strikes a really fine balance between comfort and adventure. Congratulations on a fine piece of work." - Steve Swallow
"It sounded great; your playing is real jazzy, kind of like Stern/Metheny, kind of. It’s cool. Very Nice."
- Eric Johnson/Grammy-winning guitarist/Reprise r/a
“...Brannon has one of the most uplifting guitar tones and approaches to improvisation in contemporary jazz, besides a flair for composition. Brannon’s crystalline sound is closest to Metheny on this shimmering, gorgeous tale. Synergy is a tight and eminently creative unit. Highly recommended.”- Todd Jenkins/All About Jazz – March 2006
"Sophisticated... eclectic... combines East coast cool with South Texas hot... truly an act worth your attention." - Current
Texas guitarist Mike Brannon has lead several award-winning jazz groups since finishing studies at the Berklee College of Music and studying with such jazz greats as Charlie Banacos, Jackie King, Pat Martino and Herb Ellis. His fluid compositions blend contemporary jazz/progressive rock with elements of blues, funk, latin, 2nd line, experimental, and odd meters; an eclectic sound which has garnered a growing fan base and increased radio airplay. Barcodes aired on 215+ stations worldwide.
2001 saw the release of ’Barcodes’ with the Synergy Quartet which featured Grammy winner Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones) on sax and Trey Gunn (King Crimson) on the 8-string Warr guitar. Synergy followed that release with ’Later’ in 2006 featuring a core group of stellar musicians from New York, Chicago and LA along with 7 time Grammy-winner Paul Wertico, Bill Evans and Harvie S .
The group is currently working on "Off the Map", a new CD featuring an all-star lineup slated for an early 2008 release. Described as Neo-Flamenco meets jazz/rock/swamp blues/neo-classical guitar in a film score format, it probably defies description beyond that.
The music you’re listening to is from SYNERGY’s first two releases: "BARCODES", w/special guests from the Grammy-winning Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and King Crimson bands and "LATER" w/ special guests Bill Evans/tenor, 7-time-Grammy winner Paul Wertico/drums and Harvie S/bass.
For more tracks and info you can find it at www.cdbaby.com/synergy as well as the 215 stations it’s aired on internationally (www.cdbaby.com/synergy has the list).
"LATER" is available at www.cdbaby.com/synergy2, select Borders stores and via download from i-Tunes, Tower, Rhapsody, Snocap etc.
"Five Stars - Jazzreview
"Five Stars" - The Current
"Four Stars" - Jazzsteps
"Four Stars" - AllMusicGuide
"Best Jazz Group" (twice) - Current
"Later" is also the ...
15th Top 100 Downloads of all time - Allaboutjazz.com / US
2nd Top 100 Downloads of all time - Allaboutjazz.com / Italy
Viva Italia!
Current endorsements include Elixir Strings, Onyx Forge Guitars and Carlos Juan acoustic pickups.
MusicGalley Profile: "Later"
"The title, "Later" was meant to be a reference to time displacement, both psychological and chronological. And this is expressed in both the music and album art, with its time lapse photography. All the players were chosen for their incredible work with musicians and bands I’ve always listened to: Miles Davis (Bill Evans), Pat Metheny (Paul Wertico), Mike Stern and Pat Martino (Harvie S). "Vision" was written with saxophonist Bob Berg in mind, who had played with Miles Davis for three years, but Berg met an untimely death in 2002 while the sessions were in progress. So it’s dedicated to him. Bill Evans also played tenor sax with Miles right before Bob and was into doing the record. He was the perfect choice to replace Bob. Wertico was a good choice for the drum parts as they evoke a Pat Metheny Group-like vibe. "Gumbo" was written as a New Orleans gumbo groove which was a style I hadn’t written in until then. Bill, Paul and Harvie all shine on that track. Harvie was chosen due to his work with many of my favorite guitarists: Mike Stern, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Wayne Krantz and Jim Hall.
Together they create a stew, which is also what gumbo is, that transcends the discrete parts, as I suspected they would. Like Gumbo, most of the song titles on both ’Later" and "Barcodes" before it all have multiple meanings. Gumbo is dedicated to New Orleans and the victims of Katrina. "String Theory" was originally a solo contrapuntal guitar piece that I heard as a trio piece. It was actually inspired by McCartney’s "Blackbird".
Overall it was a great experience working with these guys -all world class players for many years. Each has had very positive things to say about the recording and we look forward to working together again on some of the projects that will be happening in the new year.
MusicGalley Review: "Barcodes"
Mike Brannon: "My earliest influences on guitar were originally blues & rock artists including the Stones, Cream, Hendrix, Kinks, Grand Funk, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Muddy Waters, John Mayall, Robert Johnson etc. Eventually I realized I’d heard jazz guitarists Wes Montgomery on the radio while riding around in my dad’s car on weekends and started collecting all his music. After Wes, Pat Martino also became a huge influence. Later I reached for artists who formed bridges between Jazz and Rock, such as Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Wayne Krantz and Bill Frisell. Besides guitarists many other influences were also present...Wayne Shorter, Coltrane, Miles, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, even Bach, and later Weather Report, Jaco, Mike Brecker, Steps Ahead, Earthworks and Zappa. Not so much for his guitar playing but his writing, uniqueness, fearlessness, intelligence, sense of humor and his ability to independantly go against the flow. All attributes that help artists to find their own voice as well as success and longevity in their chosen pursuits.
"The process for that particular CD, Synergy’s "Barcodes", was a long one. I’d been writing the music for about six months prior to recording it, which usually meant long days writing, copying, locating certain scraps of music paper or tapes, trying new ideas and combinations, rehearsing the most polished ideas and gradually tweaking them to completion. Then living with the results to see if they still made sense over time. Not the quickest or easiest task.
"In all, we used three studios locally and one in Nashville where Jeff Coffin (of Grammy- winning Bela Fleck & the Flecktones) recorded his parts and one in Seattle where Trey Gunn (of King Crimson) recorded his parts. The trippy, trance-like "Emulator" was written for him. Other tunes like "Tripod" are more Metheny-like, while the harmonic content of "Double Standards" came out of a "Steps Ahead" vibe. The CD was originally recorded on a very warm sounding, vintage 24 track SSL board w/ minimal ambient use of digital delay, flange and reverb on the guitars (and overall), which accounts for some of the presence on certain tracks. We also made use of another studio w/ a state-of-the-art Neve board which didn’t have the same warmth, so we didn’t use that material. A third studio was used to edit, mix, master and sequence the tracking. In all, ten musicians added their expertise to the project and it really was a great journey for all, I think, and the response has been incredible. Much more than was expected...and it’s still coming in.
"The rest of the album represents various influences including Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Miles, Jaco, Weather Report and Eric Johnson with styles ranging from rock to jazz to funk, with a bluesy edge, to odd meters & experimental music.
Guitar 9 Interview (excerpt):
"Mike’s first exposure to the music that would influence his compositional style began early in life while listening to the car radio. Guitarists such as Wes Montgomery initially perked his ears, but when he eventually picked up the guitar, he got into groups such as the Rolling Stones, Cream and the Yardbirds.
Discovering the music of Joe Pass and Herb Ellis (Kenny Burrell and Tal Farlow) led Mike to enroll in Jackie King’s Guitar Conservatory of the South West. He later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The years of study and perfecting his guitar technique and composition prepared Mike for his eventual return to Texas and the formation of experimental trios, quartets and quintets that would later become the Synergy Quartet."
- Guitar Nine Records/September 2002
A few quotes...
"Dear Mike, To begin with; I received | Barcodes on November 22nd. I thought I’d sit down with Ayako; to enjoy what she prepared for our private Thanksgiving dinner as well as listening to your CD for the first time. The moment the first cut Prowl activated, something began to happen outside our house. A big fire truck pulled up outside our front window growling; (ladders and all) with red lights turning. It seemed like something was happening; it really fit to your music; to be honest with you it was happening! The food was great; so too is this particular project. Your writing is really exciting; as well as your playing. Your choice of players is excellent. By the way; special thanks to you for including me comfortably between JJ Johnson and Pat Metheny. All of my best wishes.
- Pat Martino/Legend/Bluenote recording artist
"Hi Mike!! Got the chance to listen to your CD and I love it, especially the first two cuts...lots of interesting twists and turns and beautifully dark and funky. The other cuts are great too, but those first two really got me. I also thought the recording and the different sounds were really right for the music. Congratulations and I wish you the best of luck with it!!!"
- Paul Wertico/Pat Metheny Group/A440 recording artist
"Dear Mike, I’ve just finished listening to Bar Codes, with great pleasure. You clearly put considerable thought into preparing it, and it paid off. I think the writing strikes a really fine balance between comfort and adventure, which served to put the players at ease, but not too at ease. I’m always looking for a similar equilibrium myself. And you played your own music really well, which is something I’ve found can’t be taken for granted. So congratulations, and thanks for thinking to send it to me. Again, congratulations on a fine piece of work. Best, Steve"
- Steve Swallow/ECM recording artist
"It sounded great; your playing is real jazzy, kind of like Stern/Metheny, kind of. It’s cool. Very Nice."
- Eric Johnson/Grammy-winning guitarist/Reprise r/a
"Thanks a lot for sending the record. Congratulations all around. I liked the idea of dedicating it to the bar/club experience, though maybe it would have been an idea to put some of that ambiance in the mix? Everybody plays well and it has a positive vibe...it’s pretty straightforward grooving/parts playing/soloing. I think the more personal you can make your music, the more potential it has to be valuable to people...that said: you’re doing it well. All in all I think it’s a good project and you should all be proud of yourselves."
- Wayne Krantz/Steely Dan/ENJA recording artist
"Very cool! It sounds great. Really nice guys, all of you guys!!! Thanks again for asking me to play on the CD... and I hope you can make some more things happen for you with this fine addition. You’re a very fine player, Mike. Cheers,"
- Dave Weckl/Chick Corea/Stretch recording artist
"Hey Mike, got your CD cranking in my headphones as I type. Right now grooving on track 2. Wild stuff on the right side (backwards something?). Like it very much."
- Mitch Forman/Sanctuary recording artist
"I listened to your CD and liked it alot. Good tunes. You play very well. Good choices."
- Harvie S
"Finally! It’s a great record, very uplifting. Great guitar playing. Great songs. Great band. Good luck to you all. Much love. Leni"
- Leni Stern/LSR recording artist
"Nice CD. Your playing is great on it. I like all the grooves, too. That’s a real nice group. Very tasty"
- Charlie Banacos/Legendary musician/teacher/catalyst
International Media Reviews...
"User-friendly fusion might be an apt description for the sly, technically breathtaking work of the quartet Synergy. The band’s ’Barcodes’ showcases off-balance, tricky rhythms to keep listeners guessing on tunes like the hard-hitting but pretty "Perspective," while keeping the exploratory atmospheres heartfelt and accessible. Where heavy textures guide edgy pieces like "Emulator" and the needling guitar-driven "Prowl," a blues/rock feel twists through the intricate "You Know." The band’s sound often keys on the fine guitar work of Mike Brannon, who, with a knowing nod to the work of Mike Stern, infuses the rock-esonant "Double Standards" with a jazzy elegance. Brannon’s work, with a warbling underwater effect, also propels the light club swing of "Tripod."
- Hilarie Grey/JazzTimes
"Synergy is a quartet from Texas that is slowly and surely climbing the visibility tree: this album features guests such as saxophonist Jeff Coffin, fresh from Bela Fleck’s Flecktones; fast company then, but can the core four keep up? On the evidence of Barcodes, the answer’s an emphatic ’yes’, Mike Brannon’s guitar has an impressive architectural sense and emotional warmth, even at high velocity. The music lies somewhere in the region of Mike Stern, the Yellowjackets or the late-lamented Eyewitness, the keynote being the sacrifice of bravado on the altar of an integrated group, and album, identity. Works for me!"
- Brian Glasser/Jazzwise (UK)
"Ambient, funky jazz built around guitarist Mike Brannon and with King Crimson’s Trey Gunn guesting. Shades of Scofield and Metheny certainly, but assured in its own right"
- Guitar Techniques (UK)
“Mike Brannon has one of the most uplifting guitar tones and approaches to improvisation in contemporary jazz, besides a flair for composition. Brannon’s crystalline sound is closest to Metheny on this shimmering, gorgeous tale. Synergy is a tight and eminently creative unit. Highly recommended.”
- Todd Jenkins/All About Jazz – March 2006
"Led by guitarist/composer Mike Brannon, the Texas jazz fusion group Synergy Quartet has a superb instrumental CD out called Barcodes.” –
Guitar Nine Records
"The listener is greeted with the seductive, laid-back slink on the song ’Prowl’. This is the work of Darren Kuper, whose tasteful skills command keen attention on Synergy Quartet’s jazz/fusion. Kuper does a superb job of navigating guitarist Mike Brannon’s original compositions. I would suspect that this is a critic/musician’s band ...but Kuper plays with a conviction and heart that would make any Wertico or Weckl fan smile...it’s a joy to hear a talented drummer lay it down."
- Modern Drummer January 2003
But Seriously, I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL!
a
Buy ’Later’
Buy ’Barcodes’