Brian Withycombe & BAM

Serves East Orange, NJ

35244

Hired 18 times

3 employees

35 years in business

$300/hour

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Brian Withycombe
Completed on 2/19/2023

Introduction

WELCOME ! "Hi, thanks for your interest in hiring BAM to play at your event, party, or venue. You may have seen Andy (lead Singer) and myself perform with popular Bay Area Bands "AjaVu" or"Steelin' Chicago". We decided to branch out and when not playing concerts with AjaVu or Steelin' Chicago we can now stretch out and play music most people never hear live. PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO TO LEARN MORE OR LISTEN TO THE MP3 Brian Withycombe (Keyboards & Background Vocals) Brian has performed, shared the stage, and or toured with members of Tower of Power, Santana, Chicago, Steely Dan, Cold Blood, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Pablo Cruise, Huey Lewis and the News, Elvin Bishop, Eddie Money, Mr. Big, Jefferson Starship, Boz Scaggs, Commander Cody, Sheila E., John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Maynard Ferguson, The Doobie Brothers, Joan Baez, Helen Reddy, Robin Ford, Blood Sweat & Tears and more... Andy Morales (Lead Vocals & Drums): Toured the country and opened for Kenny Loggins, The Temptations, BJ Thomas, ConFunkShun and others. He also had short stints with Santana and Sly & The Family Stone. Mike Rewick (Guitarist & Vocals): toured the west coast with Burns, Renwick & Rags for the last 20 years. He also played with Jimmy Buffet and The Average White Band. STYLES & ARTISTS WE COVER ROCK Aerosmith Allman Brothers AC/DC Billy Joel Beatles Bon Jovi Bryan Adams Bruce Springsteen Creedence Clearwater Chicago Coldplay David Bowie Eagles Elvis Foreigner Genesis James Taylor Kenny Loggins Lynyrd Skynyrd Phil Collins Steely Dan Sting Santana Van Morrison Rolling Stones Sam Cooke The Police Led Zeppelin ZZ Top R&B Smokey Robinson Spinners Al Green Otis Redding Temptations The Isley Brothers Luther Vandross Michael Jackson Boz Scaggs The Spinners The Stylistics Simply Red Marvin Gaye Booker T & The M.G.’s Chaka Khan Bill Withers DANCE & PARTY Stevie Wonder James Brown Jackson 5 Commodores KC and Sunshine Kool & The Gang Michael Jackson Nelly Prince Sly and the Family Stone Wild Cherry Earth Wind & Fire CURRENT Ed Sheeran Nora Jones Maroon 5 Bruno Mars Black Eyed Peas The Weekend Justin Timberlake Usher COUNTRY Bob Carlisle Luke Combs Chris Stapleton Jonny Cash Kris Kristofferson Tim McGraw Garth Brooks Merle Hagard Rascal Flatts Willie Nelson JAZZ Dizzy Gillespie Jobim Vince Guaraldi Tony Bennett Thelonious Monk Nate King Cole Diana Krall Miles Davis Louis Prima John Coltrane Horace Silver Henry Mancini George Gershwin Frank Sinatra Fats Waller Etta James Duke Ellington Dave Brubeck Cole Porter Chick Corea Bill Evans Benny Goodman GROOVIN’ JAZZ Earl Klugh Grover Washington Herbie Hancock David Sanborn Larry Carlton Stanley Turrentine Spyro Gyra Ronny Laws Tom Scott Chuck Magione The Crusaders George Benson Joe Zawinul Joe Sample Michael Buble’ Neil Larsen Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 BLUES B.B. King Ray Charles Muddy Waters John Lee Hooker Bonnie Raitt Robert Johnson Stevie Ray Vaughan Albert King Buddy Guy Eric Clapton Ray Charles Eric Clapton John Mayall Etta James

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

All pricing can be adjusted if circumstances fit. The larger the project the more things can be adjusted. Once we talk and hash things out, I will have a better idea of the time involved, travel, materials, and other thing related to the job at hand.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

TALK - TALK !! While many small things can be laid out, solved or discussed by text or email, in is imperative that we have open discussions by phone or video conference.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

"When I first started to play piano, I was lucky enough to study with jazz giant pianist/teacher Don Haas (1936 to 2001) Benny Goodman, Sammy Davis Jr., Willie Nelson, Hi-Lows. Don was one of the most sought-after piano and music theory teachers in the country at the time, with a waiting list of over 300 professional musicians and music students. Within two years of studying with him, I was recording, arranging, composing, and touring with a number of popular bands in the Bay Area and across the country. Don used to teach so many of today's top musicians. He also got me started with the skills of arranging and orchestrating. I furthered my education in College, majoring in music, and went on to work as a studio musician playing on over 2000 records and recordings. I work every day in my studio and have never stopped. My knowledge and ability to compose, arrange and produce in all musical styles is a rare bird that I am most proud of.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

By reputation, word of mouth, integrity, skill, working with top musicians, and overall, loving what I do. If you have that going for you, you have the most important component to being successful.

What types of customers have you worked with?

A number of fortune 500 companies, gaming companies, up and coming musicians, solo artists and some newbies to the process.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

For the last three years 2019 thru 2023 I was one of 50 composers from around the world hired to compose music for Facebook's sound library. The program was shut down in 2023 due to deep cuts to their overall operating budget. Composers from all over the world were trying to get into the program as it payed well. I wrote over 50 pieces of music in all styles for the library.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Have a phone conversation before anything is decided. If you want to understand a person better, text will not provide you with answers.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

Does he or she you are looking into have a track record of success in the music business ? Do they have product like albums, concerts, years of instruction, or testimonials ? Do they do music and nothing but music full time ? If so, for how many years have they taught, produced, recorded, arranged and such ?