Coming out of South Carolina, Teddy Bryant returns with his sophomore solo album, Dinner For Two, released under the banner of Stormy Weather Records. A journeyman with a distinguished musical career spanning over two decades, Teddy’s new record is a culmination of his expertise as a singer, composer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. With a heritage deeply rooted in jazz, Teddy Bryant’s artistic evolution has led him to this extraordinary solo endeavour, creating a record that captures his versatile musicianship and charming sound.
The album’s opening track, “Intro – Come Dine With Me,” featuring Yadira Gamble, establishes a tone of classic soul, marrying smooth, ethereal instrumentation with a rhythmic foundation. Teddy’s velvety vocals elegantly navigate this sonic landscape, setting the stage for the journey ahead. One of the standouts, “Bunches Of Love,” sees Teddy collaborate with Ferdi to deliver a grooving masterpiece. The track radiates a danceable energy, adorned with lush saxophone interludes that intertwine with Teddy’s vocals in an enchanting fashion.
In “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” Teddy shifts gears, embracing a laid-back hip hop groove. The rhythm is underpinned by a snappy beat and buoyed by dynamic vocal delivery and vibrant instrumental layers. It’s a seamless fusion of genres that underscores Teddy’s ability to blend influences. “Give Me That Love,” featuring Tom Rhodes, ushers in a delicate funk-infused pop sound. Anchored by a grooving beat and underscored by soft electric piano chords, the track paints a timeless portrait of musical allure.
“Love I’m Given,” featuring Stimulator Jones, offers a splendid amalgamation of neo-soul and acid jazz. Punchy beats, ethereal saxophone melodies and Teddy’s resonant vocals culminate in a sonic tapestry that’s at once intricate and captivating. The album culminates with the heartfelt “Outro,” a brief yet soulful track featuring Norman Bryant and Andrea Bryant. Their collective work delivers a fitting conclusion to this sensational new album.
Dinner For Two is a dazzling exploration of nostalgic 80s music and cinematic aesthetics. Teddy Bryant’s mastery over various genres â including R&B, soul, hip hop, funk, house and jazz â fuses to create a mesmerising musical landscape. The album’s versatility ensures a listening experience that traverses genre boundaries, inviting audiences from all walks of life to embark on its sonic journey.
As an ambitious tribute to the nostalgia of the 80s era, Dinner For Two envelopes listeners in a rich tapestry of emotions, a love story depicted through melodies and rhythms. Teddy Bryant’s creation has been submitted to the Recording Academy for Grammy consideration, a recognition well-deserved for this masterful fusion of genres, emotions and artistic flair.
We caught up with Teddy Bryant to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new album Dinner For Two and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Teddy Bryant below.
Hey Teddy, howâs things?
Things are great Iâm just excited about my brand new album âDinner For Twoâ . Itâs been a great ride and I am happy people are receiving it well.
Whatâs your earliest memory of making music?
My earliest memory of making music I was four going on five years old my father had a red key-tar and my mother had an old broken acoustic guitar. I made my first song called â desireâ.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?
The artist I draw most of my inspirations come from a variety of amazing musicians and vocalists. When it comes to producing my inspiration, come from three amazing producers Quincy Jones, and Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis. When it comes to vocals my favorite male vocal inspiration is Marvin Gaye, my favorite, female, vocal inspiration is Sade. When it comes to vocals, I often use Prince, El DeBarge, James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Michael Jackson, and Al Jarreau as inspiration.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
I find inspiration in my music from nature, the 80s which I believe is the best decade in human history, I also find my inspiration from movies, especially movies from the 80s, I find my inspiration from the love that I have for my wife the romance that can be had between a woman and a man, the adventure that comes from that romance. I also draw a lot of inspiration from Jehovah Godâs word the Bible and all the wonderful promises that we have to look forward to in the future when all the violence and crime and hatred and death sickness will be no more. Itâll all be gone and we can be able to enjoy life in this earth, the way that humans were meant to enjoy life again, that really inspires me.
What do you love about your local music scene?
My local music is very one-sided because I live in the south the music scene here is mostly bluegrass and country music to each his own. I much prefer the music scene in Rochester New York, where there is a variety of jazz, neo, soul, soul, Funk, R&B, and House music.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
I made this album for my listeners to enjoy anywhere. I want the music on this album to immediately transport you to your happy place, so no matter if you are at work if you were outside becoming one with nature or if youâre driving in your car or if youâre with, your spouse for a romantic night this album is for you itâs for everybody thatâs why I made this multi genre album.
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
My style of singing has changed over the years in the way of just getting better at using all of my inspirations as a vocalist, and all my inspirations, as a producer, arranger composer, songwriter to become a better Musician as a whole. Since 2016, whenever prince died, I dedicated myself to becoming a better songwriter, and so now I focus more on the details of the writing of the song, since the music part comes so easy to me, so that his help me to write more meaningful music that touches the soul in minds of the listener. Iâve been making music all my life, I am a student of music, and I constantly practice on sounding as unique and original as I can be. I love it itâs a part of my DNA.
How did you find making your new album âDinner For Twoâ?
The making of this album came about as I was watching one of my favourite movies. âIndiana Jones, and the Temple of doomâ and â Prince, under the Cherry Moonâ. I love the adventure of 80s films especially Indiana Jones Indiana Jones is filled with adventure and romance and thatâs something I wanted to display even in the artwork so whenever you see the front cover the album, he should remind you of the Indiana Jones. Under the Cherry Moon Was another movie I drew from as inspiration to create this album. Prince fell in love with his lead female character in such a dramatic cool way, but it was the black and white tuxedo, driving fast cars, singing songs behind a piano while drinking Champagne It was a nuance of romance and so I wanted to combine both of those movies and make it into an album and thatâs how I came up with dinner for two.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
For this album, I want the message to be return to love , that simple return to love whatever it is, that you love that keeps you in a place of bliss that takes your mind off of the stresses of life. This album is telling you to return to that, so in my case, I wanted the album to push love, romance, and adventure, return to Love.
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Sade.
Whatâs the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
The main thing I want for people to get out of this album is love, romance, and adventure.
Whatâs been your favourite live performance so far?
Havenât had one in about two years, so Iâm looking forward to performing very soon towards the end of this year.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
Three artist that would headline my dream festival would be Sade, Prince and Marvin Gaye. In my dream placed a hole that festival would be in New Zealand in the shire.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
The best advice I can give any new artists is to be your self, Donât be a copycat be original be unique, donât fit in with what everyone else is doing be different be, who you were meant to be as a musician.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
For the rest of 2023 Iâll be working tirelessly on my third album doing interviews for this album and trying my best to win in next yearâs Grammys.
Listen to Dinner For Two below
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