Bryan has played and performed music for over 40 years. As a multi-instrumentalist, he continues to perform with his Jazz ensemble The Flat Fives. He founded the Flagstaff based Brazilian percussion ensemble Sambatuque, a community drumming ensemble, which he continues to lead and direct. Sambatuque has opened for groups such as the Mickey Hart band, Ozomatli, and The Wailers, among others. Saxophone was Bryan’s first instrument, which he still plays with jazz groups and sits in frequently with local blues and rock bands. He discovered the world of percussion over 20 years ago and played and studied West African music with djembefolas such as Moussa Traore, Fara Tolno, and his friend and mentor of many years Amara Mansare. When Bryan discovered Brazilian music he went on a decades+ long journey of discovery in the many rich styles of Brazilian musical tradition, studying with many fantastic teachers (Jorge Alabe, Mark Lamson, Marcus Santos, amongst many others!).
Bryan also plays guitar and writes original compositions. He has studied guitar most recently with Robb Cappalletto. Bryan has taught music at all levels from grade school to adults. Those include the Curry Summer Music Camp, Northern Arizona University percussion ensemble, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, as well as numerous community workshops for various organizations, amongst others.