Bassist, singer, composer Brandi Disterheft grew up playing upright bass in her mother’s band, a Chicago-born B3 organist who opened for acts including the Supremes and Carlos Jobim, the co-founder of the Bossa Nova. Winning a JUNO for her debut album, she has gone on to play with some of the biggest legends in jazz.
Brandi’s new album Surfboard is her most accomplished yet. Joined by two iconic octogenarian masters — virtuoso tenor saxophonist George Coleman (most known for his work with Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis) and the definitive Brazilian drummer Portinho (Coined as the James Brown of the Brazilian Funk Samba for his unrivaled propulsive beats)— and world-class pianist Klaus Mueller, Disterheft authoritatively and organically guides the flow on a varied program that reflects her capacious interests.
Name: Brandi Disterheft
Genre: Jazz
Founded: 2008
# of Albums: 5
Latest Release: Surfboard album
Latest Single: Surfboard
Latest Video:
Favourite local Restaurant:
the Rex Jazz and Blues Bar
Favourite band as a teenager:
Herbie Hancock
Favourite band now:
Charlie Parker
Guilty Pleasure Song:
Radiohead- Talk Show Host
Live Show Ritual:
Warm-up those bass hands
Favourite local artist:
Laila Biali
Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?
Terroni
Queen or College St?
Harbord St
Trinity Bellwoods or High Park, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?
Trinity, Toronto Music Garden
EP or LP?
LP (who doesn’t love a complete story with a side B to clean the palette?)
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl + power nap
Road or studio?
All of it: daytime recording session, travel to gig, Play gig, then off to after hours gig, sleep on the plane. Bass players have all the gigs.
Swiss Chalet or Roti?
Best road food-apples and almonds, as taught to me by Toronto’s own jazz maestro Richard Underhill
Where can we follow you?
Any shows or albums coming up?
My album Surfboard is out now!