Previous Performance

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts Presents

The Betty Bryant Trio

  Betty Bryant, Piano and Vocals

With Richard Simon, Bass
and Robert Kyle, Saxophone and Flute

Betty Bryant

Richard Simon

Robert Kyle

Sunday, October 13, 2024 / 3 pm

Tickets $35.00

LOGAN HOUSE
at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023

A Reception was held immediately following the performance.

Betty Bryant, Pianist & Vocalist

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Betty Bryant is a revered pianist/singer who brings a solid piano technique, a light, swinging touch and a skilled vocal approach to her music. Whether she is playing the blues on “He May Be Your Man (But He Comes To See Me Sometime)” or delivering obscure cabaret gems or romping through serious jazz, Betty always connects with the material and with her audience. Dubbed “Cool Miss B” by her fellow musicians, Betty’s career started in her hometown of Kansas City, where she was mentored by the great Jay McShann. She moved to the West Coast in 1955, where she immediately got an engagement at Beverly Hill’s famed “Ye Little Club”. This was the beginning of mostly solo appearances in Los Angeles. Her reputation grew, and she quickly became a popular attraction in the many little nightspots that used to dot the beach towns from Santa Monica to Laguna.

In 1987 “Betty Bryant Day” was declared in Kansas City, and she was awarded the keys to the city. A famous photograph of Betty with Jay McShann hangs in the lobby of the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City.

"My Man Don't Love Me"
Betty Bryant performing at the L.A Athletic Club, Feb. 2, 2023.
With Judd Pillot on drums, David Ross on Bass, and Robert Kyle on sax.  

Betty has performed internationally in the Middle East and Brazil, and for many years was a popular regular attraction at the upscale Tableaux Lounge in Tokyo, Japan. She had a long term engagement at celebrity chef Susan Feniger’s exciting new restaurant “Street” in Hollywood in 2009, and in 2012 she was a featured performer at the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival in Boquete, Panama. The “Betty Bryant Birthday Bash” is a hugely popular annual event in Hollywood and has been presented at the famed “Catalina’s Jazz Club”.  

Betty has released ten critically acclaimed CDs, including 2009’s “No Regrets”, which got airplay on over 100 jazz stations nationwide. Peter Solomon, of station WCVE – FM in Richmond, Virginia wrote, “This is a sweet little album. I was struck by her laid-back phrasing. Her piano style sounds something like Basie. This woman has soul.” Selections from the album were programmed onto the inflight entertainment channels of seven major airlines worldwide. Christopher Louden, writing in JazzTimes Magazine, called Betty’s CD “Together” (2011) a “superlative testament to the depth and breadth of her showmanship.” Betty’s 2013 release “iteration +” charted on the JazzWeek National charts. Peter Kuller, from Radio Adelaide, Australia said, “Betty Bryant is absolutely amazing and deserves worldwide recognition. A jazz pianist who also sings or a jazz singer who also plays piano, whatever you prefer she does both with great distinction!” Her 2018 release "Project 88" is her most heard record to date, and spent six months on the JazzWeek charts topping out at #22. Her original song "Catfish Man" was a bonafide jazz hit, bringing her new fans worldwide. She is currently working on her 11th recording.

Whether listening to one of Cool Miss B’s CDs at home, or catching her live, perhaps it was best expressed by Judy Jordan in a feature article in Venice Magazine – “Snuggle into a cozy ringside club chair and let Betty Bryant steal your heart….your ears will be tickled, your heart will dance, and your feet may find a will of their own, for Betty Bryant is an enchantress.”

“I can sense Betty’s musical pedigree on a cellular level. She is a wonder to behold.”
- Don Savage, Senior Producer, Spafax Airline Network

“Bryant’s steady, rolling, soulful musical sprees are always textured with ideal measures of torchy passion, elegantly whimsical good humor and traces of KC’s uncut, communicative blues sensibility.”    - Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly 

"Betty Bryant, in the spirit of Beatrice Wood, remains a vital and creative artist well into her ninth decade."    - Kevin Wallace, Founding Director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts & Happy Valley Cultural Center 

Richard Simon, Bassist

Bassist Richard Simon discovered jazz and the upright bass at the age of 30. He and his bass 'walked away' from a position as Instructor of English in the LA Community College District to pursue jazz studies - taking classes in music theory and jazz history, and receiving informal lessons from the jazz legend, Red Callender. Soon, he was playing alongside some of the 'elder elite' of the West Coast jazz scene - including saxophonists Buddy Collette and Teddy Edwards, pianist Gerald Wiggins, guitarist Al Viola and flutist Sam Most. Recordings soon followed, with singers Barbara Morrison, Keely Smith and Sue Raney, as well as saxophonists Houston Person and Plas Johnson, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and drummer Albert 'Tootie' Heath.

Richard has played on numerous jazz cruises and made multiple tours of Japan and Eastern Europe. He also played two 'command performances' in Thailand for the late King Bhumibol.

He was a charter member and is now program director of JazzAmerica, a nonprofit that works with middle school and high school students to 'perpetuate the jazz tradition.'

Along the way, Richard has enjoyed working and recording with Betty Bryant, beginning in the '90's at her popular perch in Santa Monica, Bob Burns restaurant.

Robert Kyle, Saxophonist, Flutist & Composer

Saxophonist/Flutist/Composer Robert Kyle has become known for his unique warm sound, melodic style, and his ability to harmoniously cross musical borders. His lyricism and passion are evident in whatever situation he finds himself. His performance & recording credits include work with Gino Vannelli, Cee Lo Green, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Jason Mraz, Chaka Khan, Michael Bolton, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Kenny Loggins, Brenda Russell, Lou Rawls, Guinga, Chico Pinheiro, Seu Jorge, Googoosh, Babyface, Della Reese, Francisco Aguabella, Al McKibbon, and many others. He's made over 50 tours to Europe and has performed at many of the biggest Jazz festivals, theaters and clubs in the world. He has released twelve CDs on his own “Dark Delishious Music” label, available through his website www.robertkyle.com.

Robert has been playing and recording with Betty for over 30 years and has produced or co-produced most of her recordings. Music they have co-written and recorded has been featured on many episodes of "The Young and the Restless." 

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