Minister Bryant Pugh
B I O G R A P H Y
Possessing the God given gift of fusing jazz and gospel, Bryant's style
is soulful, unique and expressive. Not only a recognized keyboard player
and instrumentalist, Bryant is an accomplished songwriter, arranger
and producer. Since 1989, he has been playing professionally, producing,
writing and touring with artists including Richard Smallwood, Yolanda
Adams, Tramaine Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Bell
Armstrong, Beverly Crawford, Donnie McClurkin.
Having performed several times on the Jenny Jones Show, Bryant has served
as a Musical Director for numerous theatrical productions, the Philadelphia
76ers Basketball Team home game band and for the Smithsonian Institute.
In addition to his entrepreneurial venture, Holydance Recording Studio,
Bryant serves as Minister of Music at the Philadelphia based Sharon
Baptist Church, and Musical Director for Richard Smallwood & Vision.
Bryant's debut CD, entitled Peaceful Place, is an impassioned blend
of gospel and contemporary jazz instrumental tunes featuring arrangements
of the hymns What A Friend We Have in Jesus, God Will Take Care of You
and an up-tempo arrangement of Wade in the Water. His fluid jazz style
has been enhanced with tracks that include vocals that add yet another
dimension to this project. Peaceful Place has hit home with audiences
that enjoy the new jazz direction in gospel music. Bryant's much anticipated
sophomore project is due to be released in 2002.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bryant began playing the piano
at the tender age of 14 and by 16 he was playing for his high school's
jazz band. He further studied at the Settlement School of Music and
later Temple University, where he concentrated on classical jazz, gospel
and rythym & blues musical styles. Bryant and his wife Dana are
the parents of two children, Bria and Brandon.
