b. 5 December 1960, Tucson, Arizona, USA. Following the example of his father and brother, Alex and David Bromberg, Brian took up the drums at the age of 13 but within a year he had switched first to cello and then to playing bass on which instrument he studied classical music. His music studies continued through high school and at university, where he played with classical and jazz groups. When he was 19 Bromberg was recommended by Marc Johnson, then bass player with Bill Evans, to Stan Getz. After a year with Getz he went on to perform, mostly now on electric bass, with musicians such as Monty Alexander, Richie Cole, Joe Farrell, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Grusin, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Ritenour, Horace Silver, Toots Thielemans and Sarah Vaughan. While with Alexander he was heard by and met Jaco Pastorius who became an important influence.
Over the years, Bromberg has accommodated the differing stylistic needs of the artists with whom he has worked by playing a variety of related instruments, including the piccolo bass and synthesized bass, together with an instrument of his own design. In addition to appearing in concert at clubs and festivals, Bromberg has also worked with Grusin on film soundtracks, including The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989). Among many with whom he has recorded are Billy Cobham, keyboard player Mike Garson, Bulgarian pianist Mario Grigorov, Michel Legrand, Anita O’Day, Kenny Rankin, and Arturo Sandoval. Musicians he has brought onto his own-name recording sessions include his brother, Joe Farrell, Freddie Hubbard, percussionist Alex Acuña, saxophonists Eric Marienthal and, in particular, Ernie Watts who has been a frequent associate. Bromberg also produced recording sessions for saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa and Kim Waters and guitarist Richard Smith.
Now based in California, Bromberg is an extraordinarily gifted musician, possessing a prodigious technique on acoustic and electric basses and allowing him to play solos that create the aural impression that more than one instrumentalist is performing.
