UM harmonicist boasts originality

Five years ago, after listening to his grandmother talk about the family's musical past, University of Memphis junior Brandon Bailey decided he wanted to pick up an instrument.

"My great-grandfather played (harmonica), and there is a tradition of blues in my family," the interdisciplinary studies major said.  

Bailey said he begged his mother to buy him a harmonica, which she did, and last September he released his first album, "Memphis Grooves." He's currently scheduled to play around the world this summer.

"We had been talking about putting Brandon's music on a record for a while," said his aunt and executive producer, Lasonia Harris.  "We wanted to express what he wanted to say, in the way he wanted to say it."

Bailey's style, called harpboxing, consists of looped beatbox rhythms, blues riffs and vocals. Of the 13 tracks on the album, all but one are solo creations.

When Bailey went to record his album at Memphis-based Willie Mitchell & Royal Recording Studios, studio engineer Lawrence Mitchell was impressed.

"Brandon's album was the most different thing I've ever recorded," Mitchell said.  "What he does with the harmonica and looping is very original and experimental."  

Bailey said he discovered harpboxing on the Internet.

"I was very inspired and used YouTube as a way to learn more," Bailey said.  "I taught myself by watching videos on how to do loops and layer tracks."

One of the artists he watched was Adam Gussow, who later became Bailey's mentor.  

"Adam helped make my album complete, along with my aunt and producer," Bailey said.

Bailey's 50-minute album, released under the Modern Blues Harmonic label, includes a remake of "Hit the Road Jack," made famous by Ray Charles, and three original compositions.

This summer, Bailey will travel to Chicago and abroad to Australia.  He is endorsed by Harrison Harmonicas, which supplies him with instruments and schedules his performances.

While Bailey's calendar is booked full of musical engagements, he said his music isn't work — it's a hobby. His main goals lie in the medical field.  

"I want to finish school and pursue a medical degree," Bailey said.  "Right now, I'm pursuing my music as well and trying to find a balance doing both."  

Whatever the future may hold for Bailey, Harris said she has only high hopes for her nephew.

"Brandon is extremely talented, and I was honored to help him on his way," she said.  "I know he will go great places.

Mitchell also praised Bailey, placing emphasis on his creativity.

"Brandon was great to work with because he maintained an open mind," he said.  "Because of his talent and creativity, we were able to create something completely unique."