Bret Bailey Music
"If it sounds good, it is good."
~ Duke Ellington
I'm a son of a New Orleans jazz musician. A lot of who I am is shaped by that fact.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, some of my earliest memories are my dad's jazz bands rehearsing in our living room. The music of New Orleans played in heavy rotation on our stereo and became part of the sound track of my life. Both encouraged and inspired, I started learning piano at age 6, took a detour into trombone briefly (pop's influence), then picked up drum set at age 9 and guitar at 13.
​
In high school I started studying music theory. I took every music class available and played in all the school bands, concert, marching, and jazz. This was when I first started writing music.
High Sierra Music Festival 2003 with Shady Groove
Ashkenaz with Stu Allen & Mars Hotel. (Hi Steve!)
Over the past 25 years I've had the honor of being a full time member of bands that were a joy to be in.
I first play with BlissNinnies at some parties in 1990, though I was only a sub for their drummer, Mark Danley. Mark later left the band and I joined as the full time drummer in 1994. I eventually left BlissNinnies at the end of 1998, when original drummer Mark Danley rejoined the band. They made a great CD, "Yesterday's Child". It is awesome and you should buy it.
​
After a short break of no band activity, I suddenly found myself a part of three bands at once. Elephino was a funk trio powerhouse. Shady Groove was a soulful tribute to The Jerry Garcia Band. Gary Gates is a great singer/songwriter who blends reggae and R&B and more in to a very Santa Cruz sound.
I started learning home recording in 2005, and it's become one of my passions.
​
These days, I'm really excited about Cosmic Pinball, a funk all star band that uses big phatt vocals to smash the boundaries between funk, soul, and rock and roll.
​
To me, it is a source of indescribable joy to write a song and then to hear it sung soulfully.
Cosmic Pinball
I had some space in the layout over here, so here's a photo of me savoring another passion of mine. Capitola, CA a few years back.
The Catalyst with Shady Groove probably 2002
I'm also excited to play occasionally with various other projects.
It's always a joy to join the wonderful Stu Allen as part of Mars Hotel. Every time Shady Groove plays, it feels like home. And Grateful Sundays at Michael's on Main have become an awesome institution.
​
I look forward to a lot of creativity in the future. Stay tuned.
​
Thanks for reading,
Bret
one-t@technopia.com March 1, 2018
The Yamaha AW16G I used to record Ground Swell and other material
"Music is moonlight
in the gloomy night of life."
~ Jean Paul