Brandon Dickert

Student Type:	Music Careers Mentoring Program,
Location:	Chicago, IL
E-mail:	bdickert@gmail.com
Web Site:	myspace.com/brandondickertmusic
Occupation:	Professional Musician
mp3	Hold my head up

Brandon began playing drums at the age of 11.

In high school, Brandon tried to take advantage of every musical opportunity available. He continued with private studies, and sought out school ensembles (Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Band, Jazz Band, Variety show house band) as well as original projects. His junior year the marching band traveled to London, England to perform in the 1996 New Years day parade. During his senior year, his band produced and released an album.

After high school, Brandon enrolled in Harper College’s music program where he learned piano, as well as orchestral percussion and classical theory. It was here that he had his first big band experience and first real exposure to jazz. After obtaining Associate's degree in music, Brandon transferred to Columbia College Chicago.

Brandon has studied drums and percussion with Dana Hall, Tom Hipskind, Duane Thamm, Frank Parker Jr., Michael McClead, Frank Donaldson, Tim Alexander, Mike Simon, Brad Schlueter, Greg Rapp, and Mike Mangini. Some of the resident artists and clinicians he has worked with include Joe Lovano, Jon Faddis, Bill Dobbins, Peter Saxe, Orbert Davis, Mark Colby, Scott Hall, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and Lennie Niehaus.

During his time at Columbia, Brandon performed in jazz combos as well as the Jazz Ensemble. In the spring of 2003, the Jazz ensemble traveled to Vicenza, Italy to perform in the Jazz Fest as well as additional concerts in Venice. Some of the acclaimed artists on the same festival that year were: Jon Faddis, Mulgrew Miller, Pat Metheny, Terrel Stafford, Kenny Werner, Charlie Hayden, Randy Brecker, Maynard Fergeson, Sun Ra Arkestra, and many more.

Brandon graduated from Columbia in the fall of 2004 with a BA in Jazz Studies/ Instrumental Performance, and has been playing and teaching professionally ever since.

He teaches out of his home on the North side of Chicago, as well as at the Academy of Music and Art in Westmont, IL.

Recordings Released:

Zero Hour: "Embrace" 1997
Poxys Stair: "Head Mustache" 1999
Poxys Stair: "Tye Dyed Studio EP" 2000
Filament: "Departure of Tical" 2000
Filament: "Electrical sessions EP" 2001
Jason Panici Quartet: "Standards" 2002
CCCJE: "tribute to Thad Jones/Mel Lewis" 2004
Microservice: "Master of the Ghettophone" 2004
Native Fiction: "Acoustic EP" 2004
Native Fiction - "First Case Scenario" 2004
Tim Seisser and the Electric Forecast Band: "Con-Fusion" 2004
Native Fiction: “Dissolve the Dark King EP” 2005
JuGGernaut Trio “Juggerjams 05” 2005
Matt Nelson Trio: “Bob Schwermin Sessions” 2005
Dudge 3 and the Double D: “The Geech House Session” 2005
Kevin Martinez Trio: “Curried Bagel Session” 2006
Shawn Maxwell Quartet: “Album II” 2007
Secondhand Smoke: "Live @ Wisefools Pub" 2007
Chris Gelbuda: Demos (engineer/percussion) 2008
Secondhand Smoke: “Live @ ICYC 08’”
Freaky Styley “Tribute Tracks” 2009
Big Bend “Another Disaster EP” 2009

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