Vlad De Briansky (born Volodymyr Mykhailovych Debrianskyi,[a] January 3, 1972;[1] known professionally as Vlad) is an American guitarist, composer, and educator. He is also an actor, record producer and a television producer. He plays blues, jazz, rock, and classical music
Music biography
Vlad is known for his virtuosity on a guitar. He had developed a unique technique playing guitar with his fingernails rather than a pick or attachable flat picks. He is also known for using his Fender Telecaster guitar combined with an overdone reverb effect.
In his youth Vlad was a member of popular Ukrainian bands Forte, Tea Fan Club (Клуб Шанувальників Чаю) and Loony Pelen gaining popularity in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
During his New York period Vlad gets a job as an assistant producer at Hush Productions, where his guitar playing caught attention of one of the company's executives Beau Huggins who immediately offered Vlad a recording contract.
Collaboration with Orpheus lasted 10 years. During this period Vlad makes California his home and in 2004 he releases his debut album 'Vladosphere"[2] on Orpheus Music label. The album became a commercial and critical success with its single "Little Star" climbing to #4 place on Adult Contemporary radio chart bypassing Phil Collins and John Mayer making him the only instrumental artist in AC top 40 radio chart in the US.
His second solo album Sun In Capricorn[3] was released in 2007 and aired mostly on classical music radio stations around the US receiving a praise from critics earning a Grammy nomination.
In 2010 Vlad meets and collaborates with a Hollywood actor Patrick Bergin whom he invites to his project "Jacks Last Dollar".[4] In 2014 Vlad releases "Jacks Last Dollar" and its "Part I" debuted as #14 on iTunes blues charts in the US. Subsequently, a second album "II" was released gaining praises from critics and gets a moderate success.
In August 2016 Vlad releases a digital download-only album simply called "Blues". "Blues" reaches the top 10 downloads on iTunes Blues charts in Japan, United States and in Russia, reaching #1 in the Russia in September 2016 and #1 in US in May 2017.
A single "For You" was released on May 15 2018th. A new single "Dead Without You" is scheduled to be released on June 26 of 2018th.
His latest album "Dreamland" under his full name as an artist Vlad De Briansky was released on February 14, 2020, and it reached #1 on iTunes blues charts in Russia.
Vlad owns a Ukrainian record (official) and a World record on performing a guitar solo along with 100 guitarists on a song "Loner" by Gary Moore held on August 24, 2019, in Kalush, Ukraine.
Film and TV
In the fall of 2009 History Channel aired a series "Nostradamus Effect: Da Vinci's Armageddon" - where Vlad plays Leonardo da Vinci.
In 2013 he co-produced a popular TV music talent show "Boyuk Sehne" (Böyük Səhnə) aired in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Vlad as Jack Spade was also one of the judges.
Electric cars
Vlad is a spokesperson for the electric automobile company ZAP Automobiles.
Music education involvement
As an ambassador of the Berklee College of Music, Vlad founded the «American Music Academy» to bring legendary Berklee program to Eastern Europe. The school offers contemporary music education and music production. Among professors and advisors of the academy are Tom Rothrock, Reginald Love, Adam Joseph, Frank Parker, Rahni Song, and Gerry Brown.
Vlad holds a position in Artistic Board at Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPHIL) in New York City at Carnegie Hall.
Discography
Vlad De Briansky (2023), Live At Lobero Theatre, Dreamland Bros.
Vlad De Briansky (2023), Texas Heat (single), Dreamland Bros.
Vlad De Briansky (2020), Dreamland, Vlad De Briansky
Vlad (2018), Dead Without You (single), Unis Records
Ray Brown Jr. (2018), This Is Ray Brown Jr., SRI Records
Vlad (2018), For You (single), Unis Records
Vlad (2016), Blues, Unis Records
Jacks Last Dollar (2014), II, Unis Records
Jacks Last Dollar (2014), Part I, Unis Records
Jack Spade (2013), Love in Vegas (single), Unis Records
