Bryan Art

ART & LIFE: The musician riffs on his latest project:

After making a name for himself in local live-music circles and landing on our list of today's reggae singer-songwriters who matter, Bryan Art is shifting gears with a new band in tow and a must-hear new EP (available now), aptly titled Fresh Start, which features his signature blend of groovy melodies and thought-provoking messages. At his recent acoustic-style media launch at the South Beach Café, the musician spoke to TALLAWAH about shaking things up:

TALLAWAH: What made you decide to do an EP at this time?
Bryan Art: It's a whole new movement that we started last summer. We just put together a new band called File 13. And, yeah, it's just a fresh start. And if you look around, you realize that a lot of other artists are now doing their thing differently.

Only four songs are featured on the project. How did you make the final cut?
The songs were carefully selected from an abundance of recorded stuff from over the past decade. What we had was a consensus, where we just sat down and picked out some songs and decided on them as the four tracks to be included. The EP is just an interim thing because the next album will be released further down in the year.

It would seem as if indie reggae musicians experience more industry challenges than their dancehall counterparts. What do you say?
It would seem so, and until now we haven't been able to put our finger on why. It's not easy, but I don't really watch that still. I just know seh it's two different markets. But we embrace everything because it's all Jamaican.

Well, we certainly admire your resilience. As you move forward what are you most grateful for?
I have a whole heap of things to give thanks for. Music is a thing I've loved from day one. I used to just sit on my verandah and play the guitar and hold a vibe. When you perform a new tune for an audience, and even one person loves it, it's a joy. We never stop loving music whether it ah sell millions, yes or no. We just get up and make music every day. And to know that I can live off it, I am happy. - Tallawah Magazine

Recording artiste Bryan Art is pleased with the release of his cleverly conceived single, Dem Fass.

A witty songwriter and musician, Bryan Art produced the single himself, laying the drum track, the bass line, and the vocals before getting a close friend to play the keyboard.

"I just wanted to try something else different, to do a project all by myself, I got up one morning and started to work on, it took me a little over 24 hours to do the whole thing and get it out and the response has been phenomenal," he said in a release.

This is the second such track that Bryan Art has attempted to produce from conception to fruition. The first such attempt was the lead single Taxi from his 20Ten album co-produced by Swing Swang Promotions and Junction File.

"This one, Dem Fass, has even worked out better," he said.

"The response has been tremendous, I think this is the song that can bring me to the mainstream reggae market in Jamaica," he said.

Bryan Art and his management team said that they will be doing a video to promote the song next month. The singer heads to Germany in August to headline the Reggae Jam Festival between August 5 and 7. After that , he will head to Sweden for a few club gigs.

"When I get back from Germany and Sweden, we will definitely be shooting a video, it is a song that seems to resonate with a lot of people who have inquisitive people in their lives. I don't personally have a problem with my neighbor though, a lot of people keep asking me that," he joked in the release.

Born Bryan Grant in St Ann, Jamaica, he grew up in an environment that encouraged his musical ability. He began playing the guitar before he was eight years old, his keen interest in music inspired by his eldest brother, a recording artist known as Ray Grant, and by his mother who gave him early pointers on the three primary chords.

During his teens, he majored in guitar (Caribbean, Latin, American & Jazz Studies) while he attended the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. While in school Bryan Art was discovered by George Miller, who gave him his first big break as a guitarist - an opportunity to tour as a member of the Fire House Band (Luciano's backing band at the time).

He toured with the Grammy-nominated singer Luciano, as well as Mikey General and Sizzla for years and later with Bushman as band leader and guitarist of his Grass Roots Band. He has written songs for artistes such as George Nooks, Singing Melody, Bushman, and Luciano.

He got a major boost when he was declared the Best New Artist for the year 2002 by entertainment magazine programme ER which is aired on TVJ. Since that time, he has performed on such calendar events such as the Rebel Salute on repeated occasions, ATI, Fully Loaded, A St Mary Mi Come From, Unity Splash,Reggae Festival Rebel Salute 2011 Jamaica,Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2011, among others. His international appearances include a tour of the United States and Canada. - Jamaia Observer

Swing SWang Promotions recording artiste Bryan Art has scored a radio hit with his cleverly conceived breakout single Dem Fass.

A witty songwriter and consummate musician, Bryan Art produced the single himself, laying the drum track, the bass line, and the vocals before getting a close friend to play the keyboard.

"I just wanted to try something else different, to do a project all by myself. I got up one morning and started to work on it. It took me a little over 24 hours to do the whole thing and get it out, and the response has been phenomenal," he said in a release.

This is the second such track that Bryan Art has attempted to produce from conception to fruition. The first such attempt was the lead single Taxi from his 20Ten album co-produced by Swing Swang Promotions and Junction File. "This one, Dem Fass, has even worked out better," he said.

He performed the song over the weekend at a live event at Studio 38, and he received at least five forwards from an appreciative crowd. "They loved it, the response has been tremendous. I think this is the song that can bring me to the mainstream reggae market in Jamaica," he said.

Given the overwhelming response in the streets and on the radio, Bryan Art and his management team said that they will be doing a video to promote the song next month. The singer heads to Germany in August, to headline the Reggae Jam Festival between August 5th and 7th. After that, he will head to Sweden for a few club gigs in that country.

"When I get back from Germany and Sweden, we will definitely be shooting a video to Dem Fass. It is a song that seems to resonate with a lot of people who have inquisitive people in their lives. I don't personally have a problem with my neighbour though, a lot of people keep asking me that," he joked.

Born Bryan Grant in St Ann, he grew up in an environment that encouraged his musical ability. He began playing the guitar before he was eight years old, his keen interest in music inspired by his eldest brother, a recording artiste known as Ray Grant, and by his mother who gave him early pointers on the three primary chords.

He got a major boost when he was declared the Best New Artist for the year 2002 by entertainment-magazine programme ER, which is aired on TVJ. Since that time, he has performed on such calendar events as the Rebel Salute on repeated occasions, ATI, Fully Loaded, St Mary Mi Come From, Unity Splash, reggae festival, Rebel Salute 2011, Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2011, among others. His international appearances include an extensive tour of the United States and Canada. - The Star

Reggae artist Bryan Art HAS released His Fresh Start EP. The EP is branded His usual witty lyrics and classic sound of oven and presents His latest productions. With thoughts Renewed Bryan Art is back with a fresh approach to the industry and a much WIDER catalog. He has a new management team and band, the Band with File13 All which he has-been doing live performances in and around Kingston.

Bryan Art is a household name with hits APPROBATION: such as "Get it", and "Rock and Come In." He is multifaceted artist, husky voiced singer, witty songwriter and consummate musician, Delivers with passion, meaning and always message. - Abana Magazine

Writer: Justine Amadori Ketola


Bryan Art is a seasoned vocalist and songwriter. His self-titled release features his smoky, well-phrased vocals with some of the original instrumentatals found in reggae music today. The lead tune Anyway is a love song actually recorded in a straight ballad tempo that flows from straight ahead delivery to falsetto, patois, staccato type vocals over solo acoustic guitar.

On Get It Bryan sets his sights on positive outcomes singing a catchy chorus and agile melody over a solid guitar and drum driven riddim. New Day on the Reggaeville Riddim (a relick of an old Paragons riddim) starts with the sound effects of a crackling vinyl and the intro announcing Warrior King who joins the artist in an uptempo one drop peppered with grateful lyrics and the promise of a new day. The next tune Murder Dem a Play is another combination, this time with the majestic Queen Ifrica who chants against the violence of Jamaica's streets. As Bryan recalls the real world concerns of his bredren and family, Ifrica points out the dichotomy of life in Kingston's ghettos, "Inna di inna city where the flava it a sweet, how the people survive its amazing!".

An authentic Jamaican vintage flavor is featured on Rock and Come In as Bryan croons over the classic Uptown Top Rankin riddim bringing the vibes of the dance,"put your hands in the air because you really don't care because you earn your share…" while rhyming with the brands of some adult beverages one may drink inna dance. Capleton joins the artist on Dem Fass, breaking down the ways in which people are so quick to do evil and nonsensical acts. Bryan's vocal chants are delivered in deep patois to mirror the Prophet's message over a silky smooth one-drop riddim.

For Second Class Bryan Art is joined by Hawkeye to chant his deep baritone mission to uplift the poor. Bryan sings in the first person in a chorus reminiscent of the Wailers' Waiting In Vain, repeating, its "I don't wanna" phrase several times then moving to "be no second class", a rallying cry to build back Jamaica.

On Beautiful Bryan lists all of the attributes of a certain special lady with loads of allegory and pledges of intimacy and devotion. More romance on Sweeter Love finds him singing a moody ode to taking love to the next level. On No Malice the groove is straight pop dance showcasing his star quality vocal ability. For Taxi the tempo slows down to a shuffling ballad driven by exquisite acoustic guitar and dreamy delay effects. Bryan sings the ordinary activity of looking for a taxi, as he goes outta road to reach his baby.

For Show Your Love Bryan builds the sound inna R&B stylee. Nicely done cadences here, messages about being good to people, showing strong ethics and making charitable efforts to the world and your fellow citizens.

As the set closes with Best of Love which indeed recording lovingly and like some of the best with a great groove, catchy phrasing, and well-done female support vocals.

Bryan Art has toured for years with other reggae artists, now he sets his sights on his own future as a recording artist. What I want to know is whether the "Art" part is a patois pronounciation of "Heart", since he has shown so much love here. - Reggaevile

Bryan Art Album
Check out Bryan Art’s debut album featuring collaborations with Queen Ifrica, Warrior King, Capleton and Hawkeye (2013 VP Records Associated Label Group – VPAL)
Singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader and touring veteran Bryan Art is no stranger to the music scene. This Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts alum has toured as a guitarist for Luciano, Sizzla and Mikey General. In addition to being a band member, Bryan has been the co-founder and band leader for Bushman’s touring band, Grassroots. Not only can he perform, but he can compose as well; Bryan has penned songs for reggae crooners George Nooks, Singing Melody, Bushman, Luciano and Etana.
Now in 2013, he has emerged as a successful solo artist and earned a distribution deal with VP Records Associated Label Group (VPAL). His impressive debut album features collaborations with reggae heavy hitters such as Queen Ifrica, Warrior King, Capleton and Hawkeye. We recently talked with Bryan about his new album, his 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival performance and his future plans.
Congratulations on your new album. What inspired your lyrics and sound for the record?
Thanks! The lyrics of my songs are strongly influenced by a need to inject and induce some positive vibrations and thinking into a generation that is being slow-poisoned by over exposure to negative media content, including popular music. I listen to a wide variety of music (sometimes passively) but reggae, which forms the core of my sound, is a legacy that you access naturally once you grow up in Jamaica, even if you would apply any resistance to your roots.
You collaborated with Queen Ifrica, Warrior King, Capleton and Hawkeye on the album. What was it like working with them?
Yes, I have done collaborations with Queen Ifrica, Warrior King, Capleton and Hawkeye; each was a different experience. Few common factors however are the humility of each artist and the feeling of accomplishment, having set such a track record for myself, that artists of such high caliber would feel comfortable holding a vibe with me.
Are there any other artists you would like to work with in the future?
The multi-talented Bryan Art
The multi-talented Bryan Art
Artists that I would collaborate with are too many to mention, but it is with extreme honor that I have broken grounds on a project to begin soon involving the great Toots Hilbert. That duet is my present excitement. I would also like to collaborate with Damian “Junior Gong” Marley.
Why do you think reggae music is so popular around the world?
I think reggae music is so popular around the world because of its energy and realness. Also, because the genre is suppressed from the mainstream music scene, it peaks an interest. Then, once you have discovered reggae you are locked in.
What does the genre mean to you?
To me, reggae is a sense of purpose, sacrifice, strength and identity. It is a product of meaningful rebellion and at the same time clean, refreshing entertainment.
Bryan Art Live 2You’ve performed at last year’s Jamaica Jazz Festival 2012? How was that? Which international artists were you most excited to meet?
Performing at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2012 was a wonderful experience. Apart from the mixed audience, which was a grand opportunity for expanding my horizons, it felt really cool and surreal to be in the same queue with the likes of Celine Dion and Gentleman (the latter of whom to my huge surprise, introduced himself as a huge fan of my music). My head swelled because I was an even bigger fan of his!
Are there any other musical genres you’d like to experiment with?
There are definitely a lot of other genres that I’d like to experiment with. As a matter of fact I wouldn’t bar any; I love variety! As a matter of fact track number 10, “No Malice”, on my new self-titled album is a fusion of techno instrumental and a touch of reggae. That is just an indication of my openness and what is to come.
If you could record a new album anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?Bryan Art Live 1
It would definitely be in the heart of Downtown Kingston, Jamaica in an attempt to capture the spirit of the fathers of reggae music. Also, I would like to record in Detroit, USA because of Motown and its history.
Is there anything else you would like everyone to know?
I would like everyone to know that Bryan Art is a rising sun and you will be affected. Be blessed!
*Special thanks to Bryan Art for taking the time to speak with us. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube. - Reggae Around The World

Terms like 'sleeper' and 'dark horse' are thrown around in reference to people or things which strike up with little or no warning and when they do, the effects are great. Well, in terms of Reggae music albums, the sleeper for 2010 may have just been found in the form of the outstanding Bryan Art's debut album release, '20ten'. The album may prove to be one of the strongest of the year and if it does, it would certainly offer a wonderful coming out party for the former Brahyan Art.

'20ten' is essentially a compilation of singles from the soulful singer from St. Ann and it will also be a very healthy introduction to newer fans and a reigniting of the flames which older fans have come to know. Highlights include previous big single Get It, Sweeter Love, the pristine Taxi, as well as guest spots from the incomparable Queen Ifrica and veteran Dancehall DJ, Hawkeye.

Potentially a big album, '20ten', is currently available from Junction File and Jah Chin. It has been released on CD and also digitally via Zojak Worldwide. - United Reggae

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Poetry, song at Village Café
published: Friday | January 19, 2007

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer


The attempt to get the most recent edition of live music at the Village Café, Barbican Road, going at 10:00 p.m. fell to a couple late band members.

However, when things got going at a few minutes to 11:00 p.m. they moved briskly enough.

There were chuckles when Chandis announced she is from the Pum Pum Posse, her first of three poems, all done without music, reaffirmed this as she encouraged Pum Pum Speak. It did, 'unashamed by daylight, candlelight and streetlight' before she got in touch with Me ('my fingers are never long enough to find where I end'). She closed with Raindance, eyes closed and locks which blended with her brown dress swinging, to applause.

Nina Karle started Knocking on Heaven's Door, supported by the Raging Fire band and a pair of female harmony singers, in original fashion, but changed to reggae, complete with lovers' rock lyrics, after the first go-round of the chorus, hips swaying under long black skirt as she sang 'if you would only tell me baby/tell me how you really feel baby/maybe I would stay with you'. One was delivered as U2 recorded it, part of a red bracelet dangling from her wrist as Karle pointed her right forefinger for emphasis.

And she pointed out that 'in the midst of having fun we have to take care of our children', ending with the reggae message 'pray until they kingdom come, our children must be loved'.

Keisha Patterson sprang the surprise of You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart) in reggae, urging a handclap as the music, a twirl and a slight skip coming at the end.

"You have to have a song about a man," Patterson said, laughing, delivering the original This Feeling. After What About Me Patterson said 'this next song you should be a little more familiar with'. Those who were expecting Barrington Levy's Teach the Youth when the music for that song started got a surprise, as Patterson flicked her hair back, sprang from both legs on the spot and fit Fever neatly on the reggae rhythm. A heated audience demanded more and Patterson delivered Etta James Again in reggae style for her encore.

It was back to Raging Fire for closing performer Brahyhan Art, who encouraged 'put your hands in the air if you really don't care' to a 'forward' as he came out.

Moving around on the small stage, Art went streetwise with 'de soun' a string up', sang for the ladies 'when your eyes meet' and rocked the house mightily with Dennis Brown's Love's Got a Hold on Me, followed by Beres Hammond's They're Gonna Talk.

He asked 'why you never give it to me long time?' and a long leg flicked toe first in the air as Revolution hit the spot, Art sticking in a part of Barrington Levy's Here I Come to good effect.

Chrisopholis was a well appreciated guest before Art closed with Get It close to 1:00 a.m., his return to stage for another song coming before the music was turned down shortly after the arrival of a group of policemen.











































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Bryayhan Art performs at the recent 'St. Mary Mi Come From' concert at the Gray's Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, St. Mary. - ROGER CHUCK/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
"I am a very serious individual, but with a lot of humour. Its not a facade or anything like that. When I feel happy it will come out, but I am a serious man, very spiritual.
BRAHYHAN ART sings 'get it, get it' on his breakaway single Get It and the singer, after years in the background, is 'getting it' a lot these days.
The attention has been pouring in for Brahyhan Art since the release of the single and accompanying music video, but for the man named Bryan Grant at birth, it is his due, as he has been in music for ages.
Grant grew up in St. Ann, but left for Portmore, St. Catherine, as a teenager. After high school he enrolled in the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, where his plunge into the arts began.
"That's how I actually ended up with the name 'Art', because I was always involved in some form of art. From martial arts, to visual art, to photography, I did it all at one point," he said in a recent interview.
TRAINED GUITARIST
Grant was trained as a guitarist at Edna Manley, but studied Caribbean-Latin-American Jazz music as well. During his tenure there, he was spotted by musician George Miller, who brought him on board the Firehouse Crew band, which then backed Luciano. He toured with them, and later co-founded and then led Bushman's Grassroots Band, with which he toured as well. Outside of that, Brahyhan has freelanced with a few other bands over the years, recording an entire album with the band Abbassani.
While some would be content with the steady income and relative stability of such a musician, Grant felt he needed to take a risk and push forward with his singing.
"I just reverted to where my dream was all along," he explained. "I wanted to become a singer who knew music and not just someone to do it blindly. I did not get a lot of vocal training while at school, but I got training in classical music and jazz as well. Music was just what I wanted to do."
He started with Fiwi Music, but has recently branched out with the Junction File Label.
FOREIGN ARTISTE
"They used to have me as this uptown or foreign artiste. I don't know where they got that from; I am just Brahyhan Art. My music is what people can relate to it ... Entertaining and relaxing music is what I do. It is reggae, but it is universal."
"I am a very serious individual, but with a lot of humour. Its not a facade or anything like that. When I feel happy it will come out, but I am a serious man, very spiritual. I guess that adds up to me being a regular person," he said.
Brahyhan Art said he is enjoying the present vibe he is getting from the public, but for the future, he wants to venture out even further.
"I am trying to get on more overseas shows. The immediate plan is to release the album, for which we are adding material now, but we want to branch out into new markets," he said.

published: Friday | August 19, 2005



















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Bryan Art sees renewed acceptance for Singers

Mel Cooke, Star Writer

Bryan Art has a full slate of promotions lined up for his debut album 'Bray Art 20Ten', set for release on June 1. That includes music videos, interviews and a strong Internet presence.

However, Art is not leaving out heading "into the streets" in the flesh to plug the 16-track set, which includes Get It, Murder Them a Play (featuring Queen Ifrica), Rock and Come In, Somewhere, Second Class (with Hawkeye), the acoustic track Taxi, Anyway (which he describes as "a raw track, just me and a guitar"), Sweeter Love, Ready or Not and Beautiful.

dance and sing

He says that "I find going on the street is even easier. You used to think that songs like mine would not fit in, but I can go to a dance and sing at 3 a.m. We go dance and find that even inna hours when the almshouse a gwaan, the people still listen to we," Art said.

He had that experience recently at a dance named Chicken Back Wednesdays, held in Spanish Town, St Catherine. While he waited to perform, it got later and later until he was called "in the heart of the almshouse; we almost give up". He did not have any fear about performing, though, "'cause me notice a little trend a gwaan". So he says "me never feel no way", even though he did not get to hold the microphone until 3:30 a.m.

He says that a few years ago a singer would not be welcomed after midnight and it was strictly dancehall. However, he says that "I realise that some things like Rising Stars where people sit in them yard, in them living room, and see people a do songs", there has been a change in music appreciation. And, in terms of the music that is being created, he hears chords and syncopation, as well as "a new one drop that is half one drop and half R&B".

"A few years ago, the music had to be very skeletal, just rhythm. It was just 100 per cent rhythm. Now a wider variety of music is being played in the dancehall, wider than a few years ago," Art said.

Art speaks from a background as both musician and singer, having been trained in the guitar at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. He played in the band that supported Luciano up to 1997, then up to 2000 was band leader for Grass Roots, the backing unit for Bushman, which he co-founded with Rupert McKenzie.

However, he stopped his band work when he decided to divert his career path.

"I wanted to focus more on my solo career and I realised that people would not take you that seriously if you were doing that (playing guitar and singing)," he said. "Then, is a kind of move that would remind me each time what I am really about and not to confuse things. I decided I was going to stop all these gigs, focus on this and start thinking like a solo artiste and not a backing-band musician." - The Star

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Bryan Art could have made his full-length solo debut nearly a decade ago. Then, the guitarist-recently-turned-singer was doing phonetic pretzels with his name and was known as Brahyhan Art, part of the Fiwi Music outfit along with Yogi (now Courtney John). That album would have been released in about 2002. Then, there was another 'almost album debut' nearly three years ago, this one to have been distributed by Tads International which, again, was never released.

He is certain of getting out of the blocks this time, though, having marshalled his own affairs to release the 16-track Bryan Art 20Ten on June 1 on the Junction File (his own) and Jah Chin labels.

"Things always seem like it will happen and it never happen because of procrastination and we just decided that now must be the time. Come what may now is when we are going to release the album. Now is when we going to step up our game. Now is decision time," Art told The Gleaner.

The title comes from the 'now' frame of mind as well, "because for a while, we've been waiting on the album and it's like, really, everybody's been dragging them feet. It was really a drawn-out thing".

Some of the songs on Bryan Art 20Ten would have been on the previous albums, although different versions of two (Get It and Murder Them a Play) would have been released. So the original version of Get It is on the summer 2010 set, while Queen Ifrica makes a guest appearance on Murder Them a Play. Rock and Come In and Somewhere were also on the unreleased albums and Art points out that for his album debut, "the popular songs were drawn from other labels".

Relative success

Other tracks on the album are Second Class (with Hawkeye), Taxi (Art playing acoustic guitar to a drum and bass), No Malice (a techno, rub-a-dub fusion) and Anyway (which he describes as "a raw track, just me and a guitar"). He is encouraged by the response to the singles Sweeter Love and Ready or Not, saying "they are doing well" - then he pauses, laughs and adds "relatively". Beautiful was released some years ago as a single, but Art says he has done a "totally different production" for the album.

Now that he is on the verge of having an album of his very own, Art said, "I feel much relieved. I was really under a lot of pressure to have it done and just to have an album. Is a lot of opportunities I missed because I don't have an album. It makes you feel like an artiste, ready for the road. Without it, you feel like a tradesman without him tools."

"It's not that you feel like that you reach. You feel ready," he added.

Trading talent

Being 'ready' has taken not only time, but a few very bold steps and trading of Art's talent with the strings to get his vocal chords heard. He played in the band that supported Luciano up to 1997, then up to 2000 was band leader for Grass Roots, the backing unit for Bushman, which he co-founded with Rupert McKenzie.

However, he stopped his band work cold turkey when he decided to divert his career path.

"I wanted to focus more on my solo career and I realised that people would not take you that seriously if you were doing that (playing guitar and singing)," he said. "Then, is a kind of move that would remind me each time what I am really about and not to confuse things. I decided I was going to stop all these gigs, focus on this and start thinking like a solo artiste and not a backing-band musician."

There were cash consequences, as Art said "though it was gradual, I did not catch on financially before I made the decision finally. I made the decision bravely".

It was not his first bold leap, following his heart towards an uncertain future and not the aspect of art that was putting cash in his pocket at the moment. He enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts part-time to do photography and graphic art, having started to establish himself in the field and earning an income. Then, "I just switched cold turkey to music".

'Sing your own songs'

He had some prior experience with the guitar, playing when he was about seven or eight years old. "I used to just improvise on primary chords for a while until I got bored with that and packed it up. I did not play for years at all," he said. So he was very nervous when he was required to play at the Edna Manley entrance exam, "but it was easier than I anticipated. What they were looking for was more potential".

He kept writing songs and doing demos to pitch them to artistes, but was told that he has a decent voice and should sing them himself, Art saying that Yogi was the last person to tell him so before he took the plunge.

Then the trading began. In England he exchanged guitar work for studio time to do recordings that turned out to be demos. In Jamaica he got his first drum track from Sly Dunbar at Cell Block studio; at Star Trail he exchanged his guitar chops for studio time, called in Chris Birch to do keyboards and had his first single Soon Come Back, which was also his first production.

He produces five of the songs on Bryan Art 20Ten. And, as for being a guitarist, "I only do it in the studio with, like, a friend. I don't do it for hire". - The Gleaner