Brian Lenair

A Brian Lenair live show is electrifying. He is a true showman. An audience can expect to be entertained with music that is smooth and soothing one moment, and then funky with you on your feet. Depending on the audience and type of event, the music is tailored to suit the needs of the client. But rest assured, you will not be disappointed in Brian Lenair and his friends! Most of Brian's engagement come from word of mouth or by someone who attended one of his shows.

National recording artist, Brian Lenair is a contemporary Jazz musician that can blow with the best of them. He has lent his talents performing with or behind some of the greatest recording artists and musicians of our time including national recording greats like, Will Downing, Maysa, Jean Carne, Billy Paul, Angela Bofill, Christopher Williams, Miki Howard, Glenn Jones, Al Jarreau, Vesta, Tony Terry, Phyllis Hyman, Pieces of a Dream, Miles Jay, Grover Washington, Jr., Peabo Bryson, and George Benson, just to name a few.

Based out of the Washington DC metro area and has several weekly gigs around the area. Brian’s love for music began at the age of eight in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Some of his most profound influences came from his dad, who is also a fellow saxophonist, and his first music instructor, Bruce Tyler, who encouraged his passion for music. In addition, Brian credits the works of jazz greats Grover Washington, Jr. and Stanley Turrentine for their musical inspiration.

Brian’s first band was called 41/2 Hours. After four years with the group, he joined Spur of the Moment, a popular Washington, DC based funk band. As the front man of the group, they astounded audiences with their mixture of jazz and R&B sounds for over 15 years. During that time, Spur of the Moment recorded two CDs entitled Spuraddict and Out of the Shadows, which prominently features Brian’s talent as a saxophonist and composer.

Despite the growing success of Spur of the Moment, Brian moved forward to pursue a solo career. In 2004, Brian produced his first CD entitled, The Journey. Creating this CD gave Brian the opportunity to showcase his talents as an extraordinary saxophonist, producer, entertainer, and songwriter. The first single, “Gone Ridin” is a mixture of soft melodies and up-tempo grooves. The title track “The Journey”, Brian’s personal favorite, expresses the experience that he and his family endured during his sister’s victorious battle with cancer. Another track is one of his all-time favorites, ‘I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You Are Near)”; originally recorded by Michael McDonald.

In April 2006, Brian recorded Inspirations, Volume 1. This jazzy compilation embodies a total music experience. It features traditional gospel songs such as “Near the Cross: and “Amazing Grace” as well as popular gospel songs like “Total Praise”, “Stand” and “Center of My Joy”. Brian’s soulful notes and expression are a force to be reckoned with.

In 2008, Brian recorded his first Christmas CD entitled A Saxy Christmas. This project includes Christmas favorites like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “This Christmas: “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Little Town of Bethlehem”.

Brian is stepping center stage with his new project, Eye of the Storm. This is the latest in his evolution as a supreme saxophonist, which is currently playing on WHUR in Washington DC. Again, this project exhibits Brian's magnificent talent as a writer, composer, and artist. The CD features a blend of funk, smooth jazz originals, along with new school and old school covers including "Sunshine", "I Remember", "Voyage to Atlantis", and the classic jazz-funk track "Rock Creek Park".

Brian truly believes that hidden in the notes, harmonies, and compositions, are the answers and the bridges between what we see and what we seek for our lives. He has been taught that music gives us meaning and purpose. It is one of mankind’s sources of love, truth, imagination, reflection and discovery. It articulates hope and freedom.

In the years to come, Brian aspires to unlock the creative genius of our youth and inspire new generations of musicians, songwriters, composers and artists who will one day contribute their God given gifts to the world.

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SOUND REQUIREMENTS:
FIRST CLASS PROFESSIONAL SOUND AND LIGHT SYSTEMS. PA SYSTEM, MONITORING SYSTEM, LIGHTING SYSTEM AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED BY VENUE REPRESENTATIVE.

BACKLINE EQUIPMENT as follows:
ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE TOP OF THE LINE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. INFERIOR EQUIPMENT OR UNAUTHORIZED SUBSTITUTIONS MAY BE CAUSE FOR ARTIST TO NOT PERFORM. If Purchaser has difficulty supplying any of the equipment listed herein, please call Artist's representative before arranging for a substitute. Permission for substitutes will not be unreasonably withheld.

SAX (lead):
Shure ULX pro wireless, AMT LS microphone

BASS:
Two (2) SWR Goliath III Speaker Cabinets: 4x10” with working tweeters
One (1) SWR Bass Head Unit Amp: 750 watts

Keyboard #1:
One (1) Yamaha ES 7
One (1) Yamaha XF 8
One (1) Apex Ultimate Support Keyboard stands (or equivalent): a two-tier keyboard stand that holds 125 lbs and accommodates an 88 key weighted keyboard.
**Needs a seat of some sort

Keyboard #2:
One (1) Yamaha ES 6
One (1) Yamaha Motif ES 8
One (1) Apex Ultimate Support Keyboard stands (or equivalent): a two-tier keyboard stand that holds 125 lbs and accommodates an 88 key weighted keyboard.

Guitar:
Two (2) Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 guitar amps
Three (3) guitar stands
Two (2) supports for amplifiers (risers, crates) to elevate amps 18”-24” off the floor

Drums:
Yamaha or Pearl Drums preferred; Sabian Cymbals preferred; Yamaha or Pearl hardware; Yamaha or DW pedals preferred
Bass Drum: 14” or 16” x 22”
Snare Drum: Prefer 12” x 5” or 14” x 5”
10” Tom and 14” Tom and 16” Tom
13” Sabian Hi Hat
16” Sabian Crash
17” Sabian Crash
18” Sabian Crash
22” Sabian Ride
Double Bass Drum & Hi Hat Pedals (DW or Yamaha)
All Hardware: including five (5) Boom stands and One (1) Drum Throne
Thin Indoor/Outdoor Carpet: Approx 6’ x 8’
(1) talkback for drummer

ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE TOP OF THE LINE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. INFERIOR EQUIPMENT OR UNAUTHORIZED SUBSTITUTIONS MAY BE CAUSE FOR ARTIST TO NOT PERFORM. If Purchaser has difficulty supplying any of the equipment listed herein, please call Artist's representative before arranging for a substitute. Permission for substitutes will not be unreasonably withheld.

SOUND REQUIREMENTS:
FIRST CLASS PROFESSIONAL SOUND AND LIGHT SYSTEMS. PA SYSTEM, MONITORING SYSTEM, LIGHTING SYSTEM AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED BY VENUE REPRESENTATIVE.

Microphones: (14 total)
Four (4) Vocal mics (including (1) talk mic for sax, (2) for background vocals, (1) for Keyboard and (1) talkback for drums)

Eight (8) for drums (bass drum, hi hat, snare, 2 floor toms, rack toms, 2 overheads)
Two (2) for guitar amps (stereo)-DO NOT GO DIRECT

Direct Boxes: (7 total)
One (1) direct box for bass guitar
Four (4) direct boxes for 2 sets of stereo keyboards
Two (2) direct boxes for stereo mini disc player

Total Channels: twenty-one (21) channels

Monitor Mixes: Seven (7) separate mixes as follows:
One for Sax
One for drums and percussion
Two for keyboards
One for guitar
One for bass
One for background vocals

Effects: Digital Reverb units to be used for the drums

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS:
Stage Lighting: Medium stage lighting on entire stage area (white & colors –avoiding green whenever possible)
Spotlights: One (1) follow spotlight for lead, to spot and follow lead and four (4) stationary spots for Bassist, Keyboardist & Drummer & Sax*
*Alternative for small venues: One (1) stationary hot spots for each of the musicians (minimum of 1 hot spot at center stage required)
ONSTAGE: The following shall be provided onstage, by each musician’s set-up:
Cold, bottled water, i.e., liter bottles of spring water, clean towels for each musician (prefer black to avoid lint & no bar towels please).