BRANDON SANDERS

THE GAME CHANGER

Savant Records

Brandon Sanders, drums/composer; Eric Wheeler, bass; William Hill III, piano; Warren Wolf, vibraphonist; Jeremy Pelt, trumpet; Stacy Dillard, tenor saxophone; Briana Swann, vocals.

 As soon as I see the name Brandon Sanders, I know I am in for a musical treat. The first tune off his new album is an original, also the album title, “The Game Changer.”  The band does the song justice, swinging it from top to bottom, from side to side and everything in between. I had to play this one twice.  It sounds like a jazz standard. Brandon Sanders is the catalyst as the drummer and composer. We also get to meet Stacy Dillard on tenor saxophone and Jeremy Pelt on trumpet.  Then in walks Warren Wolf with his mallets flying. His vibraphone kicks the song into higher gear, followed by the blues infused piano solo of William Hill III.

This ensemble tackles the familiar Cole Porter standard “What Is This Thing Called Love” at a serious up-tempo pace.  We are off to the races with Stacy Dillard riding like a Kentucky Derby jockey atop the Sanders drum rhythms.  The young pianist, William Hill III, struts his fingers across the 88 keys and leaves quite an impression.

“James Arthur” is another original composition by Brandon Sanders. The bass opens this track with a catchy line similar to the original Little Willie John rendition of “Fever,” he sets up the groove for Warren Wolf to shuffle his way into the spotlight on his awesome vibraphone.  With Eric Wheeler’s bass as the spice, locked into the cayenne pepper drums of Brandon Sanders, the James Arthur tune is Tabasco hot!

“Sunsets in Santa Monica” features several bars of an impressive drum solo.  Sanders snatches my attention, then settles into the tune, comfortable and warm as a fireplace on a cold winter night. The muted trumpet of Jeremy Pelt is a nice touch.

On the tune “Isfahan” I am intoxicated by the beautiful melody. It’s performed by the sensuous saxophone of Stacy Dillard.

On Track #6, the featured guest vocalist takes stage center on “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.” Then, “Grits and Shrimp” jumps off my CD player like water droplets dancing in a hot skillet.  Brandon Sanders makes sure the pots are turned up high and boiling.  Brandon is deeply influenced by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.  That’s one of his favorite drummers and this tune reflects his appreciation for Blakey and his music.

Brandon Sanders keeps his Southern California jazz roots deeply embedded in this project. He remains a first-call drummer in and around New York City but is originally from Compton California.  In 2023, he made big waves with his debut album as a band leader titled “Compton’s Finest.”

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Subscribe to Our Newsletter