We were lucky to catch up with Scotty Bramer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Scotty , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Early on in my musical journey, I was inspired by blues and rock musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. When I was 11, my love for the music and expression deepened – and it felt like a calling. I told my parents I wanted to be a professional guitarist. To be honest, I was met with a lot of resistance because they did not believe this was a very practical job to have. As a very driven young person, this was frustrating to hear. However, I continued to study and practice – and learned to believe in myself even when I didn’t feel strong encouragement from my family members or the world around me. They absolutely supported me though, eventually realizing there was no way to convince me otherwise. I had my heart set on music.
Scotty , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Scotty Bramer, and I’m a guitarist, composer, and musical artist. Like all of us, I’m also more than my titles – I’m an ever learning and expanding soul, the collection of all my experiences, and an alchemist in many ways. For me, music is a driving and motivating force for life – on the surface it is fun and joyful – and on a deeper level, it represents the soul’s desire for liberation and exploration, and solace during trying times as well. I could use the adage, “Music chose me.” While my journey began as purely musical, it further developed into a greater purpose and spiritual journey.
I was hooked on music at an early age, and when I was eight my uncle bought me my first guitar, showed me my first chords and riffs, and introduced me to my favorite early influences. I have been playing music ever since. In high school, it was jazz that really stole my heart, with its limitless potential for creativity and spontaneity. I graduated from the Studio/Jazz Guitar program at USC, and then immersed myself in the music scene in LA – playing gigs, teaching lessons, recording, and touring – and doing so with a wide range of artists and musicians. As my career developed, I began sharing my original music with the world and had the fortunate opportunity to perform at some of the top jazz clubs in LA, including the Blue Whale and Catalina Jazz Club.
My creative works include both recordings and videos of my own compositions. I also offer a host of services: live concerts with my original music project, performances for restaurants and hotels, and music for weddings and events. I perform both with groups and solo guitar. I also work as a sideman and collaborator with other artists for live shows and recordings. I do composing commissions as well. Hosting my own music gatherings and jam sessions has become another unique service I offer.
As a music educator, I work with a wide range of levels and styles from beginners to advanced jazz students. I’m also starting to offer sessions that include a more holistic and healing approach to the study of music, using all I have learned on my life journey. I help my clients learn music in a way that is fulfilling and even help dissolve creative blocks – allowing them to unlock their innate creative potential and inspiration. What sets me apart from others is the knowledge and experience of the healing power of music, and how universal it is for anyone interested and who feels called to listen or pick up an instrument. It is more than a hobby – it is part of our being as humans. I desire to share and serve my audience and clients with my all my heart, knowing what a powerful force music can be.
I’m proud of my own journey, having ridden the roller coaster of ups and downs any musical artist experiences. This has allowed me to understand life and other people in a unique way, and to be able to express and connect with them. I’m particularly proud of the four live studio videos I created for my original music project “Bodhisattva,” two of which have been released (the next release is scheduled for June 11). I hope to convey to my fans, followers, and clients my sincere dedication to my craft and to serving the greater good with my music and being. I love throwing all of myself into projects, performances, and with clients, offering tremendous results and beautiful creations.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes absolutely! I love musical improvisation, I find it so magical, fascinating and mysterious. It is challenging and never ending. Music is very much like a language – you learn vocabulary and what it means, then apply it in your own way. We humans improvise all the time, in our conversations and even throughout our day – even if certain events are planned out. I find it to be a very liberating way to view life – as a flow. In musical improvisation, we get to explore the contrast between using the language we already know, and allowing for new creative musical ideas and impulses to arise in the moment. And to stay in the flow. It takes a lot of focus, but not a rigid or stressful focus – ideally it is relaxed, even during an intense moment of improvisation. It is a beautiful opportunity to create, express emotion, and cultivate inspiration and presence. There is such a beautiful element of connection with other musicians and the audience as well. It is exciting because it is not planned, and will be different every time!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A few years ago, I was going through a time of great musical inspiration and creativity – composing and performing my original music and playing consistently with others. It felt very stable and forward moving. However, my dad was not doing well and he passed away after a battle with cancer. Of course, this was incredibly painful, and there was so much turmoil in the wake of his passing that it contributed to the ending of my relationship with my partner. Between these two losses, I felt completely devastated. This was one of the times music saved my life – as a continual opportunity to find and create beauty, even in the midst of such painful circumstances. It is a powerful force of alchemy – turning lemons into lemonade. After a long while, I resumed writing, performing, and recording new projects as part of this healing journey. As challenging as this experience was, it paved the way for growth and a deeper level of awareness into the human experience I didn’t previously have. In the long run, it can serve my artistic expression and help me relate, share and connect with others with empathy – an crucial role for artists today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/bodhisattva_music_1111
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottybramer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scotty.bramer/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAH409vvgvzJnbIMgxDAdgQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/0eGizu6iwKpU4kz8B0I1Em?si=rsbRHSevRlu0j0vGIAuTmA
Image Credits
Dario Griffin