BRIAN BROMBERG PLAYS HENDRIX

The audacious Bromberg Plays Hendrix surprises in that the collection saluting the rock/blues guitarist was made without a single guitar. Accompanied only by monster drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, Bromberg plays all the lead guitar solos and melodies on piccolo, fretless, electric and acoustic basses in what becomes an astonishing showcase for the musician’s masterful and imaginative skills. Bromberg produced the record comprised of ten of Hendrix’s signature hits including “Fire,” “Manic Depression,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Foxey Lady,” “Hey Joe” and “Purple Haze.” The concept for the album was suggested by two different record executives from two different cultures two years apart. It turned out to be far more challenging than Bromberg anticipated.

“Hendrix didn’t just sing melodies; he spoke to you. He was a true genius and a true American icon. It was monumentally challenging and it took a while to figure out how to capture his delivery and distill the melodies from his vocals,” explains Bromberg.

Below is a sampling of the Bromberg Plays Hendrix reviews:

“Having often said, ‘Genius reviews itself’ - Bromberg plays Hendrix where one musical genius does a riff off another musical genius. The stunning artistic feel and virtuosity is on display throughout this release with no drop offs in intensity anywhere…From the lyrical connectivity of ‘The Wind Cries Mary’ to the full on ‘Purple Haze’ Bromberg plays Hendrix is guaranteed to touch your heart and set your hair on fire all at the same time!” – Critical Jazz

“This is rock jazz fusion at its very best. What has been done here is amazing…This is a powerful tribute that brings Hendrix back to life in the musical form and in a completely innovative manner. Every cut on the CD is a masterpiece...I was spellbound the entire time during the solos from the first track ‘Fire’ to the very last, ‘Purple Haze.’…Whether you lean towards jazz or rock (or any other genre), Brian Bromberg raises the bar on what a bass player is and what can been done with the instrument, as he sets a new standard just like Jimi Hendrix did. Tremendous!” – The Entertainment Bank

“Now we’re talkin’ insane talent. Picture this: Covering a bunch of Jimi Hendrix classics with only a bass and drums, no guitar. All of the wild and passionate riffs, chords, and fire, all of the innovative phrasing, all of the energy…produced on bass. That insanely talented bassist? Brian Bromberg…From the frenetic lead track ‘Fire’ to ‘Foxy Lady’ to ‘Purple Haze’ and everywhere in between, Bromberg fearlessly takes on the undisputed rock/blues guitar icon of icons and delivers in a manner that surely would have made the colorful guitarist proud and will leave listeners wide-eyed and awestruck.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride

“When one thinks of the music of Jimi Hendrix, bass is not exactly what comes to mind, but you know, sometimes genius is found in the oddest of pairings. Brian Bromberg has achieved such genius on his new album, Bromberg Plays Hendrix. What’s most notable here is the fact that there is no guitar on this album, just Bromberg playing electric, acoustic, and piccolo basses, accompanied by powerhouse drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Bromberg’s piccolo bass lines on this album are so phenomenal that you’d swear it was a lead guitar. Not to be overshadowed, his fat, grooving ‘traditional’ bass lines rock steady throughout, breathing new life into each piece.” - Bass Players United

“Except for a few little vocal refrains on ‘Fire’ and ‘Crosstown Traffic,’ it’s all instrumentals here, and it actually works better than the originals in a myriad of ways. ‘Hey Joe’ sounds bluesy and foreboding, while ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ ferociously swings with attitude. Lots of wistfulness on ‘The Wind Cries Mary,’ and throughout the session, the sounds you hear will make you scratch your head in bewilderment. This is a bass? I want one!!!!” – Jazz Weekly