Chris started playing bass guitar at the age of ten, and immediately started taking private lessons from David Krause (Montpelier, VT). The area of study concentrated on was jazz theory, while also providing a good knowledge blues & classical styles, which soon turned into progressive jazz improvisation/composition. This continued until Chris graduated from High School and entered college, in which his studies did not allow enough time for lessons.
Throughout this formal training, Chris gained experience in the hard rock genre with the band Evenmind, forming a unique, minimalist approach that adds great feeling and intensity to the music. Evenmind enjoyed significant regional success, subsequently selling several prints of their One True Life album [SweetFilth Records], and touring with the bands Tree, Sam Black Church, Diecast, Shadows Fall, Scissor Fight, Five Seconds Expired, and others. Evenmind regretfully disbanded in 2002 due to troubles with their drummer. Seven tracks, previously recorded in 2001, were released an independent label without a supporting tour.
While still actively gigging and recording with various band, Chris obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Norwich University in 2004. He is now one of the most diverse and innovative modern bassists around that still holds down a steady day job.
Even though a bulk of his experience is with heavier rock, Chris prefers to play more mellow music and is right at home with anything from jazz to classic rock to blues. He is the most proud of the music produced with the great singer/songwriter Jimmy Denison, which was in the Acoustic Blues/Folk realm.
Chris also studied jazz under seasoned-professional Ben Palmer. Having had eight years off from any formal training, this opened up a whole new way of creating lines, refreshed his dynamic tonal pallet, and has added a whole other 'side' to his jazz lines, now directly drawing from the influences of two different teachers.
Discography
Evenmind, One True Life, Sweet Filth Records, 1999
Evenmind, Vision, BCHC Records, 2001
5% Joe, Demo, Independent, 2001 5% Joe, Demo, Independent, 2001 Chris Brusa Trio, Independent, 2005 Alex Koman, Live at the Brewery, Independent, 2008 Alex Koman, The Last Escape Single, Independent, 2008
