Originally from Kansas, Brian Mitchell played guitar in various bands in the area, and, after some time decided it was time to go to New York City to see and learn from the masters living and playing there. Soon after arriving, he would meet Ornette Coleman and become one of his only students. Over the course of the next 3 years, Ornette would be a teacher and mentor to Brian, inviting him to band rehearsals and spending many nights, the two of them, playing and talking about music. During this time he was also playing regularly with Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris, well know NYC conductor.
Since living in Berlin, Brian has focused his attention to solo guitar. This focus has lead to two main points of improvisation. One, De-tuning ...what can be done with a guitar when you liberate it from conventional tuning, yet invent melodies and harmonies using conventional chord forms. Two, Feedback sculpture...the amplifier as an instrument, how and where one places a guitar in relation to the amp creates a world of sound, sometimes very harsh, others gentle and calming, and all strangely beautiful.
