Peter Brainin

Born in the Bronx,saxophonist Peter Brainin has distinguished himself over the past 15 years as a member of many important bands,and also as a composer and leader of his own adventurous projects. He began studying music while in middle school in Hastings-on-Hudson, playing drums/percussion in the Hastings concert band, orchestra and marching band. Later, in high school, he studied saxophone with Peter DeLuke and played in the Hastings Jazz Band and Octet under Mr.DeLuke's outstanding leadership. He went on to earn a B.A. in performance at the New England Conservatory of Music. His work as a sideman includes 10 years(1989 - 1999)with legendary pianist Hilton Ruiz with whom he performed at the Blue Note,Village Gate, and Carnegie Hall,recorded 2 c.d.'s,and appeared at major jazz festivals and concert venues in Europe and the Caribbean.He toured the States and Europe in 1992 with Mongo Santamaria and since 1995 has been a member of the Chico O'farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra.Peter is featured on 2 of O'farrill's grammy nominated c.d.'s and appeared with the band in the movies"Calle 54"and"Thomas Crown Affair"as well as performing in Europe, Japan, Mexico, and Havana, Cuba. He is also a featured member of Arturo O'farrill's grammy winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and can be heard on their newest release, "40 Acres and a Burro". Peter has also been acclaimed for his work on Bobby Sanabria's grammy nominated big band recordings,"Live and In Clave"and"Big Band Urban Folk Tales". As of this writing he has recorded on over 100 c.d.'s. Other bands and artists Peter has performed and/or recorded with include: Paquito D'Rivera, Randy Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Bebo Valdez All Star Latin-Jazz Big Band, Joey Calderazzo Quartet, Randy Weston, Jon Faddis, One for All, Mambo Legends Orchestra, Papo Vazquez' Pirates and Troubadours, Marlon Simon and Nagual Spirits, Bryan Lynch, Eddie Henderson, Larry Willis, Danny Moore Quintet, Charles McPherson, Willie Colon and Legal Alien, Ruben Blades, Steve Berrios y Son Bacheche, the Temptations, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Harold Mabern, Israel "Cachao" Lopez,Ray Barretto, Michel Camilo, Edy Martinez, Steve Turre, Jeff"Tain"Watts and Giovanni Hidalgo. Many of Peter's compositions and arrangements can be heard on his 2 original c.d.'s("Ceremony"on Cats Paw and "No Saints No Sinners"on Playscape)recorded with drummer/co-leader Steve Johns and which also feature the work of George Cables,Conrad Herwig,Eddie Henderson,and Ben Monder.He was twice awarded the BRIO Fellowship Award for musical composition by the Bronx Council on the Arts.