Michael „Leroy“ Bram

Gretsch Artist Since: 2013

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Jason Mraz, The Weight Band

Current Kit Setup:
Either Brooklyn or Renown
22” BD, 12” TT, 14” FT, 16” FT, 6.5x14" SD, 5x14" side SD

Influences:
Art Blakey, Levon Helm, Earl Palmer, Jay Bellerose, Jim Keltner, Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, Fred Below, Ringo Starr

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"Warmth and depth of tone. Classic sound. It’s that simple"

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Play The Blues!.... but seriously, learn how to swing and shuffle and be able to play some roots music (blues, jazz etc) as well as rock or whatever style you are most into. Be a YES to as many kind of gigs as you can. Get as much experience as you can. Take your time."

Bio:
Michael "Leroy" Bram is currently the drummer for Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter JASON MRAZ and served as Mraz' Musical Director from 2008-20010 during the "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" world tour.

Michael has also recently joined THE WEIGHT BAND as their new singer and drummer, singing and playing the parts of the legendary Levon Helm! The Weight Band performs the iconic music of "THE BAND" and features former members of THE BAND, as well as former members of Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm's respective bands.

In 2012, Michael teamed with producer, guitarist and friend Dave Gross and released a "uniquely diverse album of classic and original Blues, Country, and American Roots Music titled 'SUITCASE IN THE HALL' on the VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP. Bram sings, plays drums, guitar and harmonica, and reveals himself to be a fine songwriter with an ear for the classics."

Bram has also recorded or performed with WILLIE NELSON, JOSS STONE, JOHN POPPER, G.LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE, JAMES MORRISON, ZAC BROWN, RAUL MIDON, CHRISTINA PERRI, LISA HANNIGAN, COLBIE CALLAIT...;
He has toured the world several times, performed at countless festivals and made numerous national and international television appearances on shows like Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, Conan O'Brian, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Ellen, Jimmy Fallon, and more.

Michael is a regular on the national blues and roots scene and has performed and recorded with blues and roots greats such as BOB MARGOLIN, MARK HUMMEL, STEVE GUYGER, WATERMELON SLIM, DEBBIE DAVIES, MARIA MULDAUR, JOHN SEBASTIAN, AUGIE MEYERS, BILL KIRCHEN, JOHNNY NEEL, and JOHNNY NICHOLAS

He has also performed and recorded with 2007 Blues Music Award nominee, DAVE GROSS, and 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee, GINA SICILIA; 2018 BMA AWARD nominee and Harmonica ace, DENNIS GRUENLING, w/ harp killer's MIKEY JR, and CHRIS O'LEARY, w/ slide guitar masters CINDY CASHDOLLAR and GEOFF HARTWELL and also with multi-Grammy winner and cajun music great STEVE RILEY.

Michael is also a harmonica player, singer, and guitarist and performs regularly with his blues band, "Michael Bram and the Alternators". He has recorded 3 of his own albums which have been played on blues radio programs worldwide.

Here's what some of Michael's heroes are saying:

“Original arrangements and songwriting, a fresh take on raw Blues and classic Country, fine singing and playing, irony, honesty, clever production, warm clarity and open-hearted humanity -- and like a good story, I couldn’t guess what he’d do next.” — Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters)

"Groove comes from the heart,whether it's harp,drums,singing or just sitting around telling tales. Check Michael Bram out... You'll feel what I mean" -- Jimmy Vivino (Conan O'brien, Levon Helm)