Kimbrough & Company

Brent Kimbrough has an uncommon passion for music. He demonstrates the ambition of someone driven to become not just a master guitarist but also a consummate musician. Brent’s inquisitive nature has already led him down many diverse musical pathways. This musical diversity is noticeably evident is his playing.

Brent’s musical journey began at the age of 11 when he was given his first guitar from one of his many musical family members. After swiftly absorbing his fundamentals Brent began studying classical guitar. His first teacher imparted in him the classical and flamenco techniques of Andres Segovia, Julio Segreras, and Fernando Sor which led to a memorable solo classical performance in the seventh grade.

Brent’s lifelong appreciation and passion for America’s great classic music began in high school jazz band. There he became intimate with the music of Charlie Parker, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, and countless others. Brent’s primary influences on his own instrument are Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Johnny Smith, Jim Hall, Pat Martino, George Benson, Joe Pass and especially the indomitable, incredible guitarist Wes Montgomery. Growing up on the southwest edge of the city provided Brent with consistent, early exposure to classic Chicago blues. The influence and deep respect for the blues is unmistakably present in Brent playing today. While still a teenager, Brent was instilled with a passion to perform, through concerts, recitals, and competitions. Also established early was Brent’s prodigious commitment to the study of music.

While earning a B.A. in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University, Brent played blues, rock, and jazz. Soon after college, he began studying music with the great Larry Gray – a highly accomplished bassist, composer, and educator who has recorded and appeared internationally with many of the leading names in jazz including McCoy Tyner, Sonny Stitt, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell and many others.

Brent has also studied with master guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Brazilian guitarist Paulino Garcia and attended master classes with Pat Martino, Mike Stern, Bobby Broom and David Liebman. Brent's playing credits are comprised of a "who's who" in Chicago-based international artists.

Brent has performed at countless small and large jazz and blues venues in the Chicago area including the Green Mill, Green Dolphin St, Pete Miller's, Philander's, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy's and internationally, in Madrid, Paris and Amsterdam. Brent has also performed for numerous private and corporate events – most notably at the Chicago Symphony Center, Harold Washington Library, Soldier's Field, The Ritz Carlton and the Adler Planetarium.

With his jazz band Kimbrough & Company, Brent has also performed at numerous festivals including the Taste of Chicago, the Fillmore Jazz Fest in San Francisco and the Chicago Wine Fest. Brent has recorded extensively with his previous projects KP5 and Twisted Jazz; the latter, which was the house band at Rhapsody restaurant in the Chicago Symphony Center in 2004, recorded their debut EP "Pass the Sugar" in early 2005. Brent formed Kimbrough & Company in late 2005 and recorded their debut "Initial Public Offering" in early 2006, featuring Larry Gray on piano.

Kimbrough & Co. now centers their attention on weekly and monthly Chicago residencies, writing, arranging and touring.

Herbie Hancock, in attendance at Brent’s performance at Chicago Symphony Center for his 64th birthday in 2004, commented, "You sound real good" - we'd agree.

---www.brentkimbrough.com