How Brian Got Started

When Brian was just 3 years old he started playing the violin. He played for 3 years and decided that this was not the instrument for him. When Brian was 9 he tagged along with his older brother to a junior high school dance. The school band was playing. After watching the band’s drummer all evening, he knew what instrument he wanted to play: the drums. His talent was developed by studying with some truly gifted professional musicians: George Huttlin starting in 1974, Marshall Maley, and the late Buddy Rich from 1983-1985.

In 1983, he graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt MD (an Award winning music school) at the top of his music class. He went on to earn degrees in music and business.

During the next 10 years Brian gained experience by freelancing with many well know groups including the Prince George’s Philharmonic Orchestra and toured with bands throughout the world. He became the 1st drummer to play with the Capital Klezmers and joined the Machaya Klezmer band. In 1997, he joined the Nexus Rock band.

Brian has such a passion for playing the drums, he can’t play enough. He started promoting the bands he was performing with under the assumption that if those bands were busier he would have more opportunity to perform with them. As a result of these promotional efforts many of these bands became nationally known. Through this experience Brian discovered another talent, business. He created “Gigs for You”, and soon after Washington’s Entertainment Connection was established.

“Gigs for you” is a non-profit organization that Brian established in 1997. It is an elite arts agency, working exclusively with A-list artists. Through this organization, serious musicians can call for assistance. He provides career advice, networking support, and assists musicians and entertainers towards their career goals.

Author

In 2002 Brian wrote “Entertainment Connection Career Guidebook”. This book outlines the major steps artists should take to start their career, manage a band, and find work as a professional artist. Through the book, he shares his experiences as a performer, band manager, agent, and consultant.

Washington’s Entertainment Connection

Band Manager

The five bands that Brian manages and play in, are “Koh Haruarah Klezmer Band”, “The New Klezmer Quintet”, “The Jazz Connection”, “The Choper Jazz Project”, and “The Nexus Rock Band”.

Agent

Brian promotes many bands besides those he plays in. They include but are not limited to: “The Unforgiven”, “The C Barnes Project”, and “The Liverpool Beat”. These bands play a wide variety of genres.

Accomplishments and Awards

• Produced the Number 2 selling album in 1997 on the folk charts “What A Machaya”
• Brian was featured on this album, rated #2 worldwide in Moment Magazine (1997)
• Selected to participate in the international music festival in Safed Israel (1992)
• 1st Drummer to play with Capital Klezmers ( at the time 1of 3 in the country)(1987)
• Won 1st Prize at the Vienna International Music Festival for classic timpani (1983)

Discography/Thunder Records

• 2008-”Unexpected Joy”-The New Klezmer Quintet-Live in Concert w/ Ramon Tasat; The New Klezmer Quintet
• 2005-Kol Haruach-Live in Concert; Klezmer and Jazz-Together at Last; The Kol Haruach Klezmer Band
• 2004-In the Beginning…Bereshit; The New Klezmer Quintet
• 2004-An Evening For You; The Jazz Connection
• 2002-Tap Your Feet to a Jewish Beat; Sally Heckelman
• 1996-What a Machaya; Machaya Klezmer Band
• 1993- Machaya Klezmer Band; Machaya Klezmer Band