Jay S.
Brian grew up in Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and moved to Atlanta in 2010. He has been playing drums for over 30 years, beginning at age 11, after a few years at the piano. He gravitated more toward the hard rock sounds of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, but after seeing “The Blues Brothers” movie he became enamored with Blues, Motown, Soul and R&B. It was his private teachers who turned him on to jazz, Latin, and world music in his mid teens. And at 16 he was playing professional gigs, subbing for teachers and appearing with various groups in and around Detroit.
After high school, Brian attended the University of North Texas where he studied drum set and percussion. He took an opportunity to study abroad in Ghana during the summer of 1993, and in fall of that year, he secured a scholarship and led the university’s West African Dance and Drum Ensemble.
Later into his studies at UNT he developed tenosynovitis, an inflammatory condition in his hands, and had to take a long break from playing. Uncertain about a professional career as a musician, he instead focused on healing and self-improvement. He eventually discovered the Feldenkrais Method which dramatically changed his approach in how to develop greater awareness, skill and finesse as a player and teacher of the drums.
Brian’s teaching philosophy centers on guiding students toward their own interests while introducing key concepts and fundamentals of drums and music. He loves to work with kids and adults of all ages. Currently, he plays professionally in Atlanta primarily with his brother’s jazz group, the Dan Baraszu Trio.