Michael “Leroy” Bram: drummer, vocalist, harmonica player, coffee shop guitarist.  Born and raised in Commack, New York, at the age of four Bram’s parents bought him a drum set from Toys-R-Us. On that same birthday, his grandparents gave him Elvis’ Golden Records and a Buddy Holly double LP. A deep love for music was born.

At age seven, Bram began taking private lessons at the Long Island Drum Center. There he studied with renowned teachers including Bobbie Rondinelli of Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult, and Joe Rende of The Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Throughout high school, Bram attended several drum clinics and played in various bands, he also began to play acoustic guitar and sing. At sixteen, he had his first professional gigs at The Roxy in Huntington.

Bram continued his musical training by attending the Conservatory of Music at Suny Purchase, concentrating on classical percussion and jazz drums. Purchase was a fertile location for music and art, boasting many talented musicians and world-class teachers. Bram studied classical percussion with Ray DesRoches and Dominic Donato, two NYC percussion pros. After many accomplished lessons from Richie Morales (Spyro Gyra, Mike Stern), Peggy Stern (Lee Konitz, Thomas Chapin), Doug Monroe, Joe Ferry (legendary producer), Jon Faddis (trumpet great), and Todd Coolman (bass legend), he went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree, specializing in jazz drums.

After college, Bram began working as a full-time musician at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase, playing drums for Pascal Rioult, Doug Varone and Kevin Wynn. He performed at the premier of Mr. Wynn’s The Archeology of a Groove and also with the City Ballet at The Palace Theater in Stamford, Connecticut. It was then that Bram experienced his first vocal performance, singing the songs of George Gershwin.

During the past ten years, Bram has been performing in the New York area with original rock bands: Mary Anne Marino; ABOYANDAGIRL; Irish bands The McCabes, The Prodigals, Ska; Joe Ferry and Reggae; and Paul Roach & The Lions. He has performed with jazz masters Lew Soloff, Peggy Stern, Jon Faddis, and Milt Harris. Bram is a favorite drummer and harmonica player on the NY blues scene and often plays with The Geoff Hartwell Band, Petey Hop, and Chris Vitarello, and Chris O’Leary. He has also played with Roxy Perry, Big Ed Sullivan, Jeremy Baum, and Bill Perry.

Recently, Bram played drums for the just off Broadway (Broadway and 79th) production of They Wrote That?, performing with and featuring the legendary music of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, writers of the Billboard hits “On Broadway,” “Just Once,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.” He has also performed in numerous other musical productions including South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, Hello Dolly, and Evita.

Michael has released his debut CD Leroy which showcases his talents as a blues singer and harp player, as well as a jazz singer and drummer. Check him out at clubs and bars near you, and expect to hear a lot more from this up-and-coming musician.