Brandon Woody
Bio
New York Times featured artist Brandon Woody started his musical journey at the age of 7. Since then, Woody has gone on to become an international artist, performing with his band Upendo, curating projects for major museums, film scoring, collaborating with international brands and performing at major venues and institutions around the globe. Woody uses music as a tool for healing, genuine connection and celebrating community.
He has performed at venues and festivals such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Meyerhoff, Riverside Church, The Shed, Echostage, Songbyrd, Union Stage, Capital Turnaround, Rams Head Live, The Lyric Opera House, The Kimmel Center, Martha's Vineyard Jazz Festival, August Wilson Center, Havre De Grace Jazz Festival, Elbphilharmonie, Harlem Stage, MLK Library, City Winery DC & Philly, Metro Gallery, The National Building Museum, Ottobar, Clarice at the University of Maryland, Enoch Pratt Library, Baltimore Museum of Art, Reginald F Lewis Museum, Walters Art Museum, Moma PS1, Vegan SoulFest, Artscape, Jazz Showcase, Blue Llama, Lume Studios, Kennedy Center, Smoke Jazz Club, Mintons, Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival among others. Brandon has played as a sideman with Paul Russell, Solange, Standing on The Corner, Klein, Lafayette Gilchrist, Jonathan Barber, Luther Allison and many others.
Woody has had the privilege of performing alongside artists such as Marc Cary, Stefon Harris, Steve Wilson, Casey Benjamin, Steve Wilson, Marcus Gilmore, Tarus Mateen, Tim Green, Theljon Allen, Sean Jones, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Solange, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Craig Alston, Terri-Lyne Carrington, Quincy Phillips, Benny Maupin, Mac Ayers, Braxton Cook, Plunky, Jon Faddis and Danilo Perez, who have all greatly influenced his artistry and musical taste. Woody started his band UPENDO in 2017 while he was in college at Brubeck Institute and Manhattan school of music studying with Ambrose Akinmusire and Cecile Bridgewater. Since then, Woody has gone on to perform Nationally with regular concerts across the east coast. Upendo’s concert experiences are comprised of original music.
Woody’s career as a composer and recording artist has granted him the opportunity to score films such as Unwavering: The Power of Black innovation, The Unveiling of God, Keep What You Sow, Aliferous, Paint it Black Baltimore and Three Blind Mice. Woody has also produced and arranged horns for Emma Vie, Sudan Archives, Tye Tribet, Miranda Curtis,Slauson Malone, Kevin Sinatra and Klein and several others.
Woody’s work garnered the attention of international brands which led to his collaborations with Calvin Klein (One Future), Saucony, Vogue Italy, Nike, Reebok X Eames, Union Los Angeles, High Snobiety X Newport Jazz Festival, Plain Jane, A Ma Maniere. In 2022 Woody had the opportunity of casting musicians and acting as a band leader in an upcoming Apple TV series, Lady in the Lake to be released in the fall of 2024. In 2024 Woody had the opportunity to perform on Good Morning America and Vevo Live sessions with Paul Russell.
In 2021, Woody was named a Bach/Conn endorsed Artist and was named the Best musician to watch by the Baltimore Magazine in 2022. Brandon’s other accolades include the 2021 Best Musician of the Year Award by the Baltimore Crown Awards, 2020 Emerging Voice Award by the Festival of New Trumpet and articles by the Baltimore Banner, Baltimore Sun, True Laurels, BmoreArt, Makers of the USA, New York Times, Paper Magazine and Schone Magazine and many others.
Woody works to share his knowledge and love for music with those who want to learn. In his spare time, Woody teaches private group lessons and masterclasses at institutions such as the Peabody Preparatory, University of Maryland, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Poly Technic Institute, Accent Pontiac and public schools such as Cecil Elementary, A Philip Randolph High School, Temple X Schools, and Highlandtown Elementary #215