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My Music. My Story. Bryan Thompson.

August 8, 2016

My Music. My Story. is one of Classical Music Indy’s initiatives to feature music, musicians, and music lovers in a fun way. We spoke with 19 year-old, jazz saxophonist Bryan Thompson, who grew up on Indianapolis’ west side, attended Broad Ripple Magnet High School for Performing Arts and is currently attending Indiana University.

My Music. My Story. Bryan Thompson.

When did you start playing?

Bryan Thompson

I started playing at the age of 9.

What was your first gig?

My first was at a birthday for a private event. Very nervous but it went well!

What does music mean to you?

Music means everything to me. It is my way of expressing emotion and release. It is like an antidote to the troubles in life.

How do you view your work as a musician benefits the community?

My music provides an escape for people. I like for people to listen to my music and get taken on a journey away from stress. My songs tell a story and I want people to listen to my thoughts through a melody. I think my music can benefit society in this way. I want them to listen, imagine, and escape.

Who is your biggest musical hero and why?

Kenny G has to be my biggest musical hero as he is the only saxophonist I know that has a tremendous amount of success and his music is organic. I [hope to] follow in his footsteps as he achieved so much and I hope to do the same.

How has music influenced your life?

Bryan ThompsonMusic has been the center of my life since I was 3. Music has given me a creative outlet that has allowed me to entertain and bless people, travel, make some money, and most importantly allow my imaginations to be heard.

Any great music-related stories from your life?

The most memorable music moment in my life was actually playing for Kenny G (see video below) and hearing him say “Man… you were a lot further than where I was at your age.” It was inspiring and actually humbling in many ways.

Below are two videos of Bryan playing, including a video of when he met Kenny G! You can find Bryan on Facebook and Twitter, and hear him play in person on Saturday, August 27 at 6 PM at the Indianapolis Artsgarden.

 

Filed Under: Classical Music Engagement, Local Organizations, My Music. My Story. Tagged With: Artist, Broad Ripple, Broad Ripple Magnet High School, Bryan Thompson, classical music, classical music indy, community, Facebook, Featured Artist, Featured Musician, High School, indiana, Indiana University, indianapolis, Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indy, jazz, jazz saxophonist, Kenny G, Member, music, Musician, My Music. My Story, perform, performance, performer, Performing Arts, saxophone, smooth jazz, Social Media, TwitterRelated Programs: Community

Comments

  1. Donnell Roach says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Hi, my new is Donnell and I would like to book Bryan for my wedding Feb. 16, 2018. Please provide me with a link.

    Reply
    • classicalmusicindy says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:30 am

      Hi Donnell, you can reach Bryan through his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bryanthompsonofficial/

      Reply
  2. Abu Kareem says

    April 9, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    Hi, my name is Kareem, I so much enjoy Bryan Thompson’s classic music, how do I get his cd’s ?

    Reply
    • Tierney McGuire, Operations Manager says

      April 10, 2017 at 8:20 am

      Hi Kareem, You can follow him on Facebook where he’ll post info about upcoming events and recordings. One of his recent posts was for an EP on iTunes here: Genesis – EP by Bryan Thompson https://itun.es/us/EjCb_
      You can also follow him on FB here: https://www.facebook.com/bryanthompsonofficial/

      Reply
  3. Landus Evans says

    May 23, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    Hi Bryan,
    I recently discovered you on Instagram and absolutely love you. The saxophone is my favorite instrument and you are one of my favorite now as well. You are awesome!!
    Will you ever tour in Dallas?

    Reply
    • Tierney McGuire, Operations Manager says

      May 24, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      Hi Landus,
      If you’d like to contact Bryan, you can reach him through his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bryanthompsonofficial/

      Reply
  4. Jack M. says

    January 3, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    I enjoyed watching the video. There were many successful sax players besides Kenny G: Grover Washington, Ornette Coleman, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderly, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, Raashan Roland Kirk, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Eric Marienthal, Joe Farrell, Maceo Parker, Stanley Turrentine, Joshua Redmon and David Sanborn, Steve Cole, Boney James, Euge Groove, Mindy Abair, Kim Waters, Eric Darius, Candy Dulfer, Jeanette Harris, and Althea Rene to name a few. There’s also Greg Bacon a successful local sax player.
    Listen to some of these who were before Kenny G or are his contemporaries and you will see that Kenny G, whom I like too, is not the only successful sax player. Much success to you!

    Reply
  5. Tini says

    July 22, 2018 at 10:53 pm

    Hello
    Can I ask what instrument is he playing ? I recognize the saxophone but I don’t know what’s the other one. Is it another kind of saxo ? Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • Eric Salazar says

      July 23, 2018 at 7:50 am

      Hi,

      Of course! He is playing the soprano saxophone. There are 4 main types of saxophones, and each one has a lower or higher sound: Soprano (High), Alto (Medium-High), Tenor (Medium-Low), and Baritone (Low).

      -Eric Salazar, Assistant Director of Community Engagement with Classical Music Indy & Clarinetist-

      Reply
    • Rafael Matos says

      June 16, 2019 at 10:49 am

      The other one instrument is the soprano saxophone much more difficult to play air hole is much more smaller to blow thru.

      Reply
  6. Aldrin fobar says

    January 6, 2019 at 8:26 am

    What brand of soprano saxophone he’s been using..?

    Reply

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