Doyle Bramhall II
Doyle Bramhall II is one of the most distinctive vocalists, guitarists, composers and producers in contemporary music. Indeed, none other than Eric Clapton, with whom Bramhall has worked for more than a decade, lauds him as one of the most gifted guitarists he has ever encountered.
In addition to his work with Clapton, Bramhall became an in demand composer, guitarist and producer. He enjoyed high profile collaborations with a broad range of other major artists, including T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, Gary Clark, Jr., Gregg Allman, Dr. John, Robert Randolph, Allen Toussaint, Billy Preston, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Meshell Ndegeocello and Sheryl Crow, whom he produced and composed songs for on 100 Miles from Memphis (2011), and then joined her to support the record on tour. In 2015 he teamed with ace guitarist Derek Trucks (with whom he was proclaimed “The New Guitar Gods” by Guitar World when both served in Clapton's band in the late 2000s) in the Tedeschi Trucks Band, also starring Trucks’ wife, Susan Tedeschi. Bramhall’s songs and guitar playing have graced each of the three, critically acclaimed Tedeschi Trucks Band albums issued to date.
With all this outside activity, Bramhall hadn’t made a solo album since Welcome. But while honing his skills as a producer, he stockpiled ideas and songs he'd written for himself as well, and when they were selected and sequenced for his fourth solo album, Rich Man, they documented an intensive spiritual and musical journey that took him to the other side of the world in search of new sounds, and an inner peace sought following the death of his father in 2011.
Since 2008, and in the year following his father’s death, Bramhall had extensively explored India and Northern Africa. The influence of these journeys manifest in Rich Man’s inclusion of the North Indian classical bowed string instrument sarangi—played by virtuoso Ustad Surjeet Singh—and the bowl-shaped Arabic oud lute, played by Bramhall’s own oud teacher Yuval Ron, the renowned Israeli composer-player-arranger.
Also appearing on Rich Man is Norah Jones, with whom Bramhall had been performing every six months or so in a concert series. The duet “New Faith” was emblematic of the entire album in its hope that people can look beyond all that divides them and find a new way of thinking that enables peaceful progress through mutual respect and understanding.
Rich Man, then, is a watershed achievement for Bramhall, both in terms of the many music styles in the tracks—which begin and end with his fundamental American blues influences, and in between, follow his global music explorations and arrangements--and the inner examinations resulting in the spiritual growth expressed in the lyrics.
“I read a quote from Charles Mingus,” Bramhall stated upon the completion of Rich Man.“He felt that he was not just playing a style of music so much as expressing the sounds of his life and experiences through the medium of music. I very much relate to that."
Doyle Bramhall II is one of the most distinctive vocalists, guitarists, composers and producers in contemporary music. Indeed, none other than Eric Clapton, with whom Bramhall has worked for more than a decade, lauds him as one of the most gifted guitarists he has ever encountered.
In addition to his work with Clapton, Bramhall became an in demand composer, guitarist and producer. He enjoyed high profile collaborations with a broad range of other major artists, including T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, Gary Clark, Jr., Gregg Allman, Dr. John, Robert Randolph, Allen Toussaint, Billy Preston, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Meshell Ndegeocello and Sheryl Crow, whom he produced and composed songs for on 100 Miles from Memphis (2011), and then joined her to support the record on tour. In 2015 he teamed with ace guitarist Derek Trucks (with whom he was proclaimed “The New Guitar Gods” by Guitar World when both served in Clapton's band in the late 2000s) in the Tedeschi Trucks Band, also starring Trucks’ wife, Susan Tedeschi. Bramhall’s songs and guitar playing have graced each of the three, critically acclaimed Tedeschi Trucks Band albums issued to date.
With all this outside activity, Bramhall hadn’t made a solo album since Welcome. But while honing his skills as a producer, he stockpiled ideas and songs he'd written for himself as well, and when they were selected and sequenced for his fourth solo album, Rich Man, they documented an intensive spiritual and musical journey that took him to the other side of the world in search of new sounds, and an inner peace sought following the death of his father in 2011.
Since 2008, and in the year following his father’s death, Bramhall had extensively explored India and Northern Africa. The influence of these journeys manifest in Rich Man’s inclusion of the North Indian classical bowed string instrument sarangi—played by virtuoso Ustad Surjeet Singh—and the bowl-shaped Arabic oud lute, played by Bramhall’s own oud teacher Yuval Ron, the renowned Israeli composer-player-arranger.
Also appearing on Rich Man is Norah Jones, with whom Bramhall had been performing every six months or so in a concert series. The duet “New Faith” was emblematic of the entire album in its hope that people can look beyond all that divides them and find a new way of thinking that enables peaceful progress through mutual respect and understanding.
Rich Man, then, is a watershed achievement for Bramhall, both in terms of the many music styles in the tracks—which begin and end with his fundamental American blues influences, and in between, follow his global music explorations and arrangements--and the inner examinations resulting in the spiritual growth expressed in the lyrics.
“I read a quote from Charles Mingus,” Bramhall stated upon the completion of Rich Man.“He felt that he was not just playing a style of music so much as expressing the sounds of his life and experiences through the medium of music. I very much relate to that."
Since 2001, the Claude von Trotha Band has combined the soulful voice and blistering guitar work of artist/arranger Claude von Trotha, with a fantastic group of SoCal's top-shelf touring and studio musicians. Their performances before sold-out crowds meld funk, blues, rock, jazz, and soul music - a 9 piece horn driven band whose muscular musicianship and creative restlessness delivers a high energy, truly unique, signature sound. The CvTB's rhythm section lays down a tight groove with a new century punch. The 4 piece horn section utilizes CvT's unique musical arrangements of both original and classic tunes that help define the band's signature sound. Add that to the warm, comedic, 'SoCal attitude' of front man Claude von Trotha and his Flying V guitars, and you have a dynamic musical entertainment package for all ages and musical likes. The Claude von Trotha Band has shared the stage with a diverse mixture of musical acts, including The Yardbirds, WAR, Michael Burks, Larry Carlton, Leon Russell, Sweet, Tower of Power, Blue Cheer, Jack Russell's Great White, Savoy Brown, Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Billy Vera and the Beaters, Johnny A., The Flying Burrito Bros, The Little River Band, Ambrosia, and - well, you get the picture, these cats hit hard, and the people are jumpin' ! The “CvTB” constantly moves forward, determined not to labor in the shadow of their predecessors. They are truly forging their own unique, fresh, ‘SoCal’ musical style, utilizing the instrumentation available to them in unique ways. The result of their effort has earned ‘The Claude Band’ numerous accolades, but more importantly, respect among critics and peers. Find a Claude von Trotha Band show, you’ll be taken in by not only the music, but the joy that the performers exude while they share their music with you.
“… The Claude von Trotha Band or (The CvTB as us hardcore's know them), he's got a 'thing' about him and the way he sings that drives the ladies crazy and makes you want to stand up and groove ….” American Blues News
“Claude is the ORIGINAL funkmeister!....” Elvin Bishop
“…the band is tight. Incredibly tight….” Jack Russell
