Brian Culbertson

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THE CD

THE HANG

THE TOUR

By: Giget C. Johnson Photos By: Lar r y Williams

On November 11, 2021 at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, I was blessed with the opportunity to sit down face to face with Brian Culbertson while he was on tour for An Evening With Brian Culbertson featuring Marcus Anderson. Having All-Access, after observing sound check and sitting through a meet and greet with some of his VIP fans, I was graced with his presence in his dressing room for a one-on-one interview. Here’s what I learned. Brian Culbertson had only one job in his life that was not related to music – a paper route in the eighth grade, from which he used his pay to purchase his first computer. A hard worker, he’s done everything from playing trombone in a pit orchestra to playing in local plays and musicals. He was a part of the setup crew for a show choir, which he played the trombone in the band for and then broke everything down after the shows. He’s also produced jingles for commercials. Jan/Feb Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 13

From picking up the trombone in fifth grade band class to attending DePaul University on a scholarship, Culbertson has put in the work to be the superstar musician that he is today. It didn’t take him long to realize that he would not learn the business of the music industry at DePaul but he can play multiple instruments. He “dabbles in all instruments” with exception of saxophone. Brian got a record deal with three months to complete an album and became a “quasi-dropout.” He remained enrolled in Jazz Ensemble to keep his scholarship but quit completely after two years of attendance and landing a “real job” in the music industry. We are blessed that the self-described “smartass know it all” believed in himself and his ability to do anything he put his mind to so much that he continues to release album after album. In March 2020 when everything shut down and shows were cancelled, not to be outdone by COVID-19, Brian Culbertson quickly figured out a way to stay connected with his fans. He 14| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Jan/Feb

started going Live on Facebook on Friday nights on his phone but quickly became frustrated with the limits of the phone. Culbertson researched “How to Stream Like a Pro,” thinking “if they can learn it, why not me?” and invested in equipment to include eight cameras, tons of lighting, and new computers to give the fans a quality connection. In

May 2020, with a name coined by his wife, “ The

Hang ” was formally launched with a new logo and design graphics in place. “ The Hang ” still occurs on Friday evenings at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m ET on Facebook Live and later is uploaded to YouTube. It is free to everyone. Fans can engage in a live chat. There are also six paid levels of membership of “ The Hang Club” that offer a variety of VIP perks. Out of

“ The Hang,” “ The Trilogy” was born.

Sound- Check

“ The Trilogy” is a set of three albums with 30 original songs, all written by Culbertson.

While a lot of other artists collaborated with others, virtually and otherwise, during the pandemic, Culbertson just hung out at home with his wife. “I wanted it to sound like it ’s just me, by myself.” The gift of “ The

Trilogy” is all Brian Culbertson.

“ The Trilogy: Part 1 – Red” was released on September 24, 2021. “Red” is an intimate, passion themed set, partly inspired by the intimate hang with fans.

“ The Trilogy: Part 2 – Blue” is expected to be released January 14, 2022. Blue reflects a melancholy tone as it ’s to be released during the winter months. It will help push through the gloom of winter but also has some tearjerking tracks as well. Particularly “Fallen” still gets to Culbertson. “Blue” causes introspective thoughts about life.

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“ The Trilogy: Part 3 – White” is expected to be released in the Spring on May 6, 2022, after the end of winter ’s dismal days. “White” should bring hope, “like a release of the doves.” “White” is full of uplifting music. The change of theme of The Trilogy is driven by the seasons and all that comes along with each. “Almost like a long-term relationship, the beginning, the middle, then the happily ever after. Fall before the holidays is full of passion. Then there’s the melancholy of winter, when it ’s cold and people get depressed. This music will help to get through. And then the joy of spring.” “It started out as me just writing songs, not a trilogy. As I was writing I noticed three distinct sonic landscapes that all fit together. But early on I noticed three categories of emotions that I was getting – passion, melancholy and hope. The colors of red, blue and white went naturally with those emotions.” “ The Trilogy reflects deeper emotions than I’ve ever experienced.” “We’ve heard that art is a reflection of the times. It really is.”

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Brian Culbertson is the King of making passionate music. “ The Trilogy: Part 1- Red” should be flashing like a warning sign that we should listen with caution. It is not a CD that you want to listen to in the morning if you don’t have time to stay in bed. There is almost no way out once you start to listen. You just gotta go through it. But do it in the evening when you have lots of energy to exercise the passion that will flow therefrom. Start early. Stay late. Track 1: “Feel the Love” – What a way to open the album. It makes you sing a song but there are no lyrics. Every note is felt deeply within. Track 2: “Just Let Go” – You might as well just let go because you’re on song number two and already you’re sucked in. Before you get halfway through the song you’re ready to follow the instructions given on Track 3 to come on over. Track 3: “Come On Over ” – You fell for it. Oops! It ’s way too late now. Go back to track 2 and just let go! Follow the path to track 4 Infatuation. Track 4: “Infatuation” – Jan/Feb Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 21

Stops you in your tracks and you’re all in now. Enjoy the ride for there’s no way out until it is all over. Ooh! You’re in for a treat that will last deep in the night as Track 5 is titled. Track 5: “Deep in the Night ” – You’re still here. Relax; you’ll be here deep in the night. Did you bring your sleepers? You’ve been lulled to a sweet nap. Track 6: “Whispers” – “Wake up.” “Another round?” speaks soft notes of ecstasy. Track 7: “Eyes Closed” – There is no need to open your eyes for this one. Yeah, it ’s like that. You can keep your eyes closed. This is perfect for a lazy lay. Track 8: “Lost In You” – Didn’t open your eyes yet? Awaken to find that you’re in unknown territory. “Lost In You” gives an outer-body experience, some drive you crazy, kind of out of this world experience. Track 9: “One More Kiss” – As you come back to your senses, being released from hypnosis of ecstasy, slowly you’re pulled in for just one more kiss. It doesn’t stop there. Track 10: “Dreamstate” – Aaaahhh!!!! You’re blissfully in a dream-state. Rest now, for morning is upon you. Brian Culbertson is the master of seductive music. He’s certain to lead even a novice into the land of ecstasy. Put “ The Trilogy: Red” on and let it play. Jump on the ride and don’t try to exit until it is all over. 22| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Jan/Feb

An Evening with Brian Culberston featuring Marcus Anderson

If you’ve never seen Brian Culbertson live then you’re missing a treat. He’s like a Mad Scientist on the keyboards but in a good way. Happy to be back on tour, he puts on a show, plays the keyboards backwards with his back to the audience, and rocks the house with tracks like “Been Around the World”, “On My Mind”, “More than Thankful”, “Hollywood Swinging ”, “Play that Funky Music”, “Secret Garden” and others. “Colors of Love”, of which he states “I like to perform that one”, brought the crowd to their feet with a roaring applause. From dancing on your feet to swaying to love songs in your seat, the audience experiences Brian Culbertson doing what Brian Culbertson does. The person you see on stage is who he is. “We’re not met with his persona, but for the show because you gotta hype it up.” At home he is “just a more chilled version.” 24| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Jan/Feb

Asked whom, dead or alive, he’d like to perform with and without hesitation, he replied “It would’ve been great to do something with Miles. I listen to Miles all of the time.” Brian Culbertson’s fingertips drip musical magic. You can catch the drip in Year 2022 in January in Miami, in April in Northeastern United States, in June in Napa Valley. See his website www.brianculbertson.com for other dates.

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