Born January 12, 1973, Brian is a smooth jazz musician and instrumentalist from Decatur, Illinois, United States. Son of jazz band director and trumpeter Jim Culbertson, Brian’s instruments include the keyboard and trombone.
Brian Culbertson began his quest in music at the age of 8 on piano, adding drums at 9, trombone at 10 then bass at 12. He grew up loving genre-crossing jazz-pop artists such as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Yellowjackets and Chick Corea. So passionate and naturally gifted was Brian that his 7th grade piano recital consisted of all original music. He flourished in high school bands with his father, Jim Culbertson, as the school’s award-winning jazz band director, then went on to compose commercial jingles for clients such as United Airlines, Oldsmobile, Sears and McDonald’s in Chicago ‘s competitive advertising community.
Heavily influenced by funk, much of Culbertson’s material is funk-based instrumental, but in recent years has called upon vocalists such as Trey Lorenz and Kenny Lattimore to add to his pieces.
Brian Culbertson also works with many other musicians in the smooth jazz arena, often as a composer and arranger. Culbertson is currently credited with working with Dave Koz, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Jeff Lorber, Michael Lington and legendary A&M Records composer and producer, Herb Alpert to name but a few.