Review Text
Ron Brendle, a freelance bassist in the Charlotte area since 1981, was recently recognized by Charlotte Magazine as 'Best Bassist.' His innovative compositions and improvisational style have also earned five awards as 'Jazz Artist of the Year' by Creative Loafing Magazine. Ron was the recipient of two North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer Fellowship Grants, which helped to produce his CDs Hypermobility and Photograph. Ron's composition Not Forgetting was used in the motion picture The Architect and his compositions Hypermobility and Freeway were featured on two JazzSouth Sampler CDs. As a first-call bassist in the area, Ron has performed and recorded with many notable jazz artists of international stature, including Nneena Freelon, Clark Terry, Andrew Hill, Charlie Byrd, Charlie Rouse, and Mose Allison. His latest recordings include projects with Loonis McGlohon, Mike Campbell, and Frank Kimbrough. In addition to maintaining an active career as a free lance bassist, Ron co-founded Big Octave, which performs original compositions and arrangements with an instrumentation of saxophone, drums, and bass: this group enjoys an appreciative audience base in the Charlotte area. Ron also performs numerous educational outreach concerts each year as part of the Charlotte Jazz Society and as bassist with Viva Klezmer. Ron graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor Degree in music. He studied bass with Charlie Haden at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna, Florida. NOTABLE PERFORMANCES Mose Allison in Charleston SC Jason Marsarlis and Irvin Mayfield at Spirit Square, Charlotte NC Frank Kimbrough at UNCA, Asheville, NC Frank Kimbrough at The Arts Center, Carrboro NC Ali Ryerson in Charlotte NC Steven Riley in Wilmington NC Frank Kimbrough at The Arts Center, Carrboro NC Frank Kimbrough at The Reynolda House, Winston-Salem NC Mark Levine at Wingate College Viva Klezmer at the International Clarinet Symposium, Oklahoma City Ron Brendle Quartet, Japan Charlie Byrd at Vintage Theater, Winston-Salem NC Clark Terry with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Irvin Mayfield at the King & Queen in Charlotte NC Bucky Pizzarelli with Charlotte Symphony Ernie Watts at Saxfest '97 Nnenna Freelon at Blue Ridge Blues & Jazz Festival and Brevard Festival Lost Dogs at Buckroe Beach Jazz Festival, Va. Hypermobility Quintet at UNC-Charlotte Hypermobility Quintet at Davidson College Nnenna Freelon at Greenville Jazz Festival Vanessa Rubin at Jonathan's Dave Pike in Wilmington Davidson College, with Faction Chris Potter at Columbia Jazz Festival Andrew Hill and Chico Hamilton at Jazz Charlotte Carl Fontana at Asheville Jazz Festival Barney Kessel at Jazz Charlotte Ross Thompkins at Columbia Jazz Festival Bill Watrous at Columbia Jazz Festival Nick Brignola at Columbia Jazz Festival Kenny DaVerne at Jazz Charlotte Jon Metzger at Mint Museum in Charlotte Charlie Byrd at Carrboro Art Cente Charlie Byrd at Jonathan's in Charlotte Mose Allison at Art Center Mose Allison at Jonathan's Bill Kirchner and Marc Copland at Lake Lure Jazz Festival Sheila Jordan at Jonathan's Charlie Rouse at Jonathan's Phineas Newborn at Jazz Charlotte Hank Crawford at Davidson College Herb Ellis at Papa Gallo's in Charlotte Opened for Dizzy Gillespie at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte Emily Remler at Papa Gallo's Charlie Rouse at Papa Gallo's Recorded with Mel Lewis and Dick Oates on Jim Brock's album PasaJes Mose Allison at Maynard's in Charlotte Tal Farlow at Maynard's ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HONORS 2004 - Creative Loafing Magazine Jazz Artist of the Year 2004 - Creative Loafing Magazine featured Jazz Artist in 'The Best of Charlotte's Original Music Scene' issue. 2003 - Creative Loafing Magazine Jazz Artist of the Year 2002 - Creative Loafing Magazine Jazz Artist of the Year 2001 - Recipient of North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer Fellowship Grant 2001 - Creative Loafing Magazine Jazz Arti
