Michael "Leroy" Bram is currently the drummer and musical director for 2010 Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz. With Mraz he has toured the world several times, made numerous television appearances, and performed at countless festivals.



Michael Bram has recently recorded or performed with Willie Nelson, Joss Stone, John Popper, G.Love and Special Sauce, James Morrison, and Colbie Callait, as well as w/ blues greats Mark Hummel, Steve Guyger, Watermelon Slim and Nick Moss. He has toured and recorded with 2007 Blues Music Award nominee, Dave Gross, and 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee, Gina Sicilia, as well as w/ blues harp ace Dennis Gruenling.



Michael Bram is also an accomplished harmonica player and singer, and performs regularly with his blues band, "Michael Bram and the Alternators". He has recorded his own album which has been played on blues radio programs worldwide.



Full biography:

Michael Bram; drummer, vocalist, harmonica player, coffee shop guitarist...born & raised in Commack, New York. At the early age of four years old, his parents bought him a drum set from Toys-R-Us, Michael banged on that toy kit all day. On the same birthday, his grandparents gave him Elvis' Golden Hits and a Buddy Holly double LP. A deep love for music was born.



At age seven, Michael Bram began taking private lessons at the Long Island Drum Center. There he studied with renowned teachers, including Bobbie Rondinelli of Black Sabbath & Blue Oyster Cult, and Joe Rende of The Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Throughout high school, Michael attended several drum clinics and played in various bands, he began to play acoustic guitar & sing. At sixteen, he had his first professional gigs at The Roxy, in Huntington.



Michael Bram continued his musical training by attending the Conservatory of Music at Suny Purchase, concentrating on classical percussion and jazz drums. Purchase was a fertile location for music and art, boasting many talented musicians and world class teachers. Michael studied classical percussion with Ray DesRoches and Dominic Donato, two NYC percussion pro's. After many accomplished lessons from Richie Morales (Spyro Gyra, Mike Stern), Peggy Stern (Lee Konitz, Thomas Chapin), Doug Monroe, Joe Ferry (legendary producer), Jon Faddis (trumpet great), and Todd Coolman (bass legend), he went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree, specializing in jazz drums.



After college, Michael Bram began working as a full-time musician at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase, playing drums for Pascal Rioult, Doug Varone and Kevin Wynn. He performed at the premier of Mr. Wynn's "The Archeology of a Groove" and also with the City Ballet, at The Palace Theater in Stamford, Connecticut. It was then that Michael experienced his first vocal performance, singing the songs of George Gershwin.



During the past ten years, Michael has been performing in the New York area with original rock bands; Mary Anne Marino, ABOYANDAGIRL, Irish bands; The McCabes, The Prodigals, Ska; Joe Ferry, and Reggae; Paul Roach & The Lions. He has performed with jazz masters, Lew Soloff, Peggy Stern, Jon Faddis and Milt Harris. Michael is a favorite drummer & harmonica player on the NY blues scene, and often plays with The Geoff Hartwell Band, Petey Hop, and Chris Vitarello & Chris O'Leary. He has also played with Roxy Perry, Big Ed Sullivan, Jeremy Baum and Bill Perry.



Recently, Michael Bram played drums for the just off Broadway (Broadway and 79th) production of "They Wrote That?", performing with and featuring the legendary music of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil; writers of the Billboard hits, "On Broadway"; "Just Once"; "Somewhere Out There"; and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". He has performed in numerous other musical productions, also, including "South Pacific"; "Guys and Dolls"; "Bye Bye Birdie"; "Hello Dolly"; and "Evita".



Michael Bram has released his debut CD, "Leroy"; which showcases his talents as a blues singer & harp player, as well as a jazz singer & drummer. Check him out at clubs and bars near you, and expect to hear a lot more from this up & coming musician.