Ron Bruner Sr. a native of Compton California, attended Centennial HS as well as Cal State Northridge. I consider myself fortunate to be considered a notable drummer on the LA freelance music scene. Having 40 years of playing experience is not a hindrance, it is a gift. Having played and/or recorded with The West Coast Git Down, J*Davey, The Temptations, Diana Ross, Howard Hewitt, Gary Bartz, Chameleon (Elektra/Asylum Artist), AinÌ MisbehavinÌ (Ahmanson Theater), Disney, Randy Crawford, Gladys Knight to name a few. Ron started Strange Jazz Universe some 17 years ago as a Miles Davis 70’s tribute band, with the understanding that Music is ever evolving. Miles taught us that. I have released 3 CD projects. The first Ron Bruner Strange Jazz Universe Live in Leimert Park. The second Strange Jazz Universe Mission ll (Too Possible). And The latest, New Space Age Materials is out on the LA Sound Label and features an eclectic group of musicians. Stanley Clarke, Thundercat, Del Atkins and Fidel Winzey doing the Bass work. Kamasi Washington and Edmund Velasco on sax. Phil Charles, John Ziegler, Ricky Z., and Jinshi Ozaki on guitar. Jameel Bruner, Brandon Coleman, Bryan Evans, and Cameron Graves. Ariana Charlene on Vocals. “New Space Age Materials” is now available.
Ron Bruner’s Strange Jazz Universe NEW SPACE AGE MATERIALS fusion vet keeps the shredding in check mostly. Ronald Bruner Sr. solos with such freedom and killer chops over the ending vamp of “Time Travel Made Easy” that you wish the track could go on forever. Thankfully, there are more delights in store within the funk and R&B styles of New Space Age Materials, with Bruner laying down some jazzy backbeats over the atmospheric keys and guitar of “Passion of Now” and a rock-steady 8th-note pulse that fits “Dealing With My Alien Feelings” like a glove. Whether it’s hip drum programming on smooth vocal tunes or a couple of wild, reverb-drenched solo drum features, Bruner keeps his universe interesting, whipping out the pyrotechnics only when needed. (iTunes) Ilya Stemkovsky (Modern Drummer 02/01/2014)