Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Bravo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a musical household. I’m the middle sibling of an older and younger brother who grew up to be professional musicians.
My musical journey started when I was around 7 years old, I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, with parents of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent.
My first musical instrument was the Venezuelan cuatro, which is a four string guitar similar to a ukulele. Afterwards I also learned to play the Spanish guitar, Our father was responsible for us taking the musical route by hiring a private instructor for music lessons, not knowing that it would lead us to what we do for a living today.
We moved to the US in 1977. When I was enrolled in school, I joined the band playing alto saxophone in the concert and marching bands. Soon after my brothers and I started a band with a friend, we needed a bass player, so that’s how I started playing the electric bass. In 1990 I joined the US Army Band, playing electric and upright bass. After a four year enlistment I returned home to Orlando, Fl. I started freelancing, recording, touring and working the local theme parks.
Through out the years I’ve had the privilege to record with several artist
on some Grammy nominated and award winning recordings.
Most recently I released my own album, “Can’t wait to get started “
Which is a big band album with my compositions and arrangements.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been blessed for having a smooth road, except in 2020 when the world wide pandemic hit us like a ton of bricks! All the work disappeared, and it was very scary and stressful for a time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently I’m a bassist , electric and upright, arranger/composer and producer.
I started arranging when I was 15 years old. One positive aspect of my musical upbringing
was that we listened to many different types of music at home. pop, rock, Brazilian, salsa, etc.
I think it molded us into a more complete and prepared musicians.. While serving in the army band,
I had several music ensembles at my disposal to write arrangements for . We had a concert band,
jazz band , brass and woodwind groups . I even arranged and started a Latin group for the Army Band.
It really helped to hone and improve my creative technique as an arranger.
In the last several years , My younger brother and I have produced several projects for clients . But I have to say that the production that I’m most proud of is my latest album (” Can’t wait to get started”) that I produced and my brother co-produced.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not so sure I believe in luck. I believe in destiny . I believe in blessings .
My first job as a professional bass player happened when I was 15years old .
I was playing in a Salsa band . The only reason I was hired was because there wasn’t
many professional Latin bass players around with the right feel , but this young 15 yo could
read music and had the right feel . I always thought that I was blessed . That was the beginning
of my music career and I was hooked!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jerrybravomusic.com
- Instagram: jerrybravo_official
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jerry.bravo524
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mru2QyHDhtAGXymIzHjyuuGZUFMO_kxn0
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jerrybravo_official
