Lance Bryant

Saxophonist and vocalist Lance Bryant received his formal music education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he studied saxophone, composition and arranging. After moving to New York City in the mid 1980s, Lance continued his education, studying saxophone and arranging privately with Frank Foster, the former director of the Count Basie Orchestra. In 1990 Lance began his decade-long relationship with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and in 1993 became the Orchestra's Musical Director and Principal Arranger. Lance has performed, recorded and traveled extensively with major artists such as Phyllis Hyman, Jon Hendricks, Pete "LaRocca" Sims, Wallace Roney, Abdulah Ibrahim, James Williams and others. His connection with spirituality and music has endured. In 2002 he released Psalm, the first of four CDs featuring original songs, and jazz arrangements of hymns and Spirituals. Recent Broadway experience includes the musical After Midnight, featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Shuffle Along, featuring Tony Award winner Audra MacDonald, and A Celebration of Cole Porter, performing with Harry Connick Jr. Currently Lance is touring with the newly re-formed Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis and with venerated pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya.