Born in Tampa, Fl on December 20, 1985 to a gospel songstress mother and a master Sgt. In the Air Force, Brandon L. Robertson exemplified passion and musical aspirations in the field of entertainment. At the age of 10, he became very fascinated with the upright bass while taking music lessons from a former teacher, who was also a member of the Florida Symphony Orchestra. He quickly attached himself to the instrument and hasn’t let go since. While in Middle school, he performed in various District Orchestral Festivals, having been accepted 3 years into the Hillsborough County, All County Orchestra.

After being accepted into Howard W. Blake School of the Performing Arts, he joined the jazz band to try something different from his previous orchestral background. He would go on to receive straight superior all four years in the high school jazz combo and for solo classical bass at the All County District and State competition. In 2003, his high school jazz band took home first place at the San Francisco High School Jazz Festival for most outstanding jazz band. He soon started to catch buzz from fellow musicians around town and would play electric bass for several churches and music festivals such as the Clearwater Jazz Festival High School Jazz Combo. He further went to attend the FSU Double Bass music camp under the direction of Professor Melanie Punter.

With drive and motivation already pumping through his veins, in February 2004, Brandon auditioned for the Florida State University Jazz Program and was accepted a month before his high school graduation. After moving to Tallahassee, FL in fall of 2004, he auditioned for the FSU Jazz Combo. While there, he first met his fellow musician and friend Zach Bartholomew, after both were placed in the same combo. They have worked together ever since, Brandon eventually becoming the bassist in the Zach Bartholomew Trio.

Brandon attributes some of his major influences on bass as Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Israel Crosby, Sam Jones, Derek Hodges, Ron Carter, Oscar Pettiford, Victor Wooden, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, and Bootsy Collins. He has also had the fortunate opportunity to work with The Marcus Roberts Trio, Scotty Barnhart, Bill Peterson, Leon Anderson, and Chick Corea as well as been privileged of meeting and studying with some of the finest bass players around. Such would include Roland Guerin, Rufus Reid, Rodney Jordan, and Clarence Seay. Currently Brandon is a Graduate of Florida State University College of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. To learn more about Brandon, you can check out his personal website.