Today we’d like to introduce you to John Bryant.
Hi John, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is John, but most people just call me JB. I grew up in the hills outside of Asheville, NC. I began a professional music career as a singer when I was 8 years old. My parents were music teachers and performers themselves and I grew up sitting-in on lessons, performances, and rehearsals. My mom, a singer, coached me through several performances as a soloist and an actor. My dad, a tubist, was the first to introduce me to brass instruments. When I was 10, I got my first trumpet and from that point on, I knew it was going to be a part of my life forever.
I attended Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music for my undergraduate degree, the University of Louisville for my Master’s degree, and completed my doctorate at the University of South Carolina. During my studies, I was fortunate enough to offer hundreds of performances throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico and the United States. In 2010, after meeting my wife on a traveling Christmas show, I made the decision to move to Atlanta to be with her and begin a career as a freelance trumpet player.
Beginning fresh in a major city during the bottom of a recession was a real challenge. I worked hard promoting myself, making connections, and playing anywhere I could to become established. I took many auditions and was fortunate enough to win a few of them. Proudly, I was able to say that I support myself teaching and playing trumpet exclusively.
After several years of performing all over the world in classical, jazz, and commercial music settings, I became obsessed with optimizing my performance both on and off the stage. I could feel the effects of pushing my body and mind to the limit. I was worn down, exhausted, and in need of a change — I knew I had to find a way to better care for myself. This is when I found my way back to the practice of yoga. I had practiced off and on for several years but never made the commitment to become a regularly practicing yogi. Through my daily yoga practice, I once again found that same feeling I did when I first picked up the trumpet and I knew that yoga was going to be a part of my life forever. In 2019, I completed my yoga teacher training and began teaching and immediately began sharing this practice with as many folks as I could. In 2020, I found the Yonder Yoga community and have been teaching yoga there ever since.
Whether I’m teaching or performing music, practicing or teaching yoga, I wake up each day feeling lucky I get to live my passions. My wife and I both teach a studio of young musicians, perform all over the state of Georgia, and practice yoga together daily.
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?
As an artist, there are always struggles! As a freelancer, you’re only as good as your most recent performance. As a result, you have to prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally to walk on stage and provide a great show for people that have paid hard-earned money to see your show. That’s a LOT of pressure!
After a good show, it’s easy to celebrate. After a bad show, it’s hard to see the good. Regardless, every day you have to go back to the practice room, rebuild and foster the love and confidence to show up strong for the next one. In the practice room, I meticulously record and critique every single note. It’s easy to speak negatively to yourself when you just can’t seem to get it right. It’s tough losing auditions. It’s hard to see friends with “normal” jobs that are able to leave the office and not be so personally connected to their profession. As an artist your work is a reflection of who you are and when someone doesn’t enjoy what you offer, it’s a difficult task to separate that rejection from yourself.
Perhaps the biggest challenge I’ve faced has been my journey toward a healthy lifestyle. Being on the road it can be difficult to find ways to honor your body, eat healthily, and find the determination to take charge of your health, both physically and mentally. In the past 12 years, I’ve lost over 125 lbs! I began to see myself appearing how I always felt I looked on the inside. Now, I enjoy riding my mountain bike, lifting weights, and of course, practicing power yoga as a part of my self-care routine.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a professional trumpet player, I’m unique in the sense that I can comfortably perform in any genre. I have performed and recorded in jazz, salsa, hip-hop, rock, EDM, classical, orchestral, and commercial music styles. I pride myself on being a ‘musical chameleon’ that can blend in anywhere.
As a trumpet teacher, I offer the same ability to connect with my students and foster a love and appreciation for music of all kinds. I help students find their unique sound and style on the instrument and cheer them on as they grow as people and musicians.
As a yoga teacher, I offer physical challenges that test the minds and bodies of my students. My aim is to help each student realize a deeper love and understanding of self. Most folks don’t realize just how capable they truly are – I just help them begin to see it within themselves.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The music industry is always changing! Today there are so many technological options to write, record, and share your own music from the comfort of your own home. Once, one had to hope to earn a full-time spot in an orchestra, land a record contract, or pay lots of money to record an album at a studio in hopes that others would listen. Now, there are so many opportunities to create and share, the hard part is being noticed in a sea of other incredible musicians.
The yoga industry continues to grow! With more and more folks working so hard in this modern world, it can be difficult to develop a self-care routine that helps the mind, body, and spirit. I believe most people crave a way to care for themselves and are finding yoga is a great way to address all three. I only see more opportunities to share this incredible practice in the coming years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnbryantmusic.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jbiznessatl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/abblasen
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJZA1KookFq0mj-qzpLP5g
