New York City-based saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer: February is Februar-cray

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

February is Februar-cray

With February only a quarter of the way done, I feel like I'm standing at the edge of a precipice, wearing a hang glider, getting ready to be pushed off into a flurry of extreme activity. Part of me feels like I'm already in that flurry, but I know it hasn't even begun yet. South by Southwest is six weeks away, Nelo is booking dates around the country, Progress is looking to play a bunch of really cool shows, and both bands are hitting the studio soon.

Throughout it all, I've been thinking a lot about how lucky I am: not only to be spending my life working with things I'm passionate about, but to be working with the very same people I'd prefer to be hanging out with, anyway.

Lots of public shows coming up with a variety of groups, mostly Nelo and Progress, but some other stuff here and there. Check them out if you're inclined.

Calendar
2/10: Progress at Lambert's, Austin, TX, 7:00pm
2/11: Nelo at Floore's, San Antonio, TX
2/13: Nelo Acoustic at Saxon Pub, Austin, TX, 8:30pm
2/14: with Jon Blondell at the Elephant Room, Austin, TX
2/15: Monster Big Band at the Elephant Room, Austin, TX
2/16: Nelo at the Blue Light Live, Lubbock, TX
2/23: Progress at Skinny's Ballroom, Austin, TX
2/24: Nelo at the Parish, Austin, TX
3/13: D Madness/Thermostat at Lucky Lounge, Austin, TX
3/16: Progress at Key Bar (free unofficial SXSW show), Austin, TX, 4:00pm

Bio

Initiate third-person voice.

Brian Donohoe was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and took an early interest in composing and performing on the piano, woodwinds, and guitars. Originally inspired by soundtracks from movies, cartoons, and video games, he soon became fascinated with British and American rock, pop, soul, funk, and jazz. By high school he was playing bass in rock bands, piano and saxophone in jazz and funk bands, and clarinet in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony.

While attending the University of North Texas College of Music jazz studies program, Brian recorded and toured internationally with the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and won Down Beat Magazine awards as a soloist and band leader. He developed friendships with the UNT community that would eventually evolve into the Grammy-winning group Snarky Puppy under the direction of Michael League. He also worked with prominent members of the Dallas music scene, including Robert “Sput” Searight (Snoop Dogg/Kendrick Lamar), Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin/Kim Burrell), TaRon Lockett (Erykah Badu/Funk Apostles), Wes Stephenson (The Funky Knuckles), and Bobby Sparks (Prince/Marcus Miller).

After composing music for and performing on three Snarky Puppy albums, Brian moved from Dallas to Austin, spending several years as a touring and session musician while forming and developing his own group, Progger. He currently serves as Progger’s band leader, saxophonist, keyboardist, and primary composer.

In 2013, Brian relocated to New York City while keeping ties to Austin and Dallas strong. In 2016, Progger released its third record, “Scattering,” under the auspices of Ropeadope Records, using musicians from both Texas and New York. “Scattering” was released to warm critical reception by the international jazz and progressive music communities, and it continues to garner praise in publications and podcasts in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

In addition to Progger and Snarky Puppy, Brian has performed and recorded with many critically acclaimed artists including Okkervil River, Myron Butler & Levi, Nelo, Bill Laurance, The ClubCasa Chamber Orchestra, and The MK Groove Orchestra. His compositions appear in multimedia productions around the world.