Damon Bryson (born 1978), better known by his stage name Tuba Gooding Jr., is an American tubist and member of the hip hop band The Roots, joining the band in 2007. He plays the sousaphone in The Roots in the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[1][2]
Tuba Gooding Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Tuba Gooding Jr. with The Roots at Central Park Summerstage, August 24, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Damon Bryson |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Sousaphone, Tuba |
| Member of | The Roots, The Tonight Show Band |
The sousaphone is a low brass instrument mainly used as a marching band tuba.[3] Bryson was named "one of the top sousaphone players of all time" by Brass 'n Wind.[4]
In a 2014 interview, Bryson told reporter Mister Mann Frisby that he named his 37 pound sousaphone "Onyx" because of the color.[5]
Early life
editBryson is from South Philadelphia. He attended Universal Audenried Charter High School. Bryson started playing in the band Brass Heaven in his 20s, playing at venues including Warmdaddy's and Chris' Jazz Cafe, in Philadelphia before he was discovered by Questlove and recruited to The Roots in 2007.
Discography
editWith The Roots
edit- ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014), Def Jam Recordings[6]
- Wise Up Ghost (2013), Blue Note
- Undun (2011), Def Jam Recordings
- Rising Down, (2008), Def Jam Recordings
References
edit- ^ Vincenty, Samantha (January 4, 2024). "All About The Tonight Show Band, The Roots". NBC.
- ^ Scaggs, Austin (May 15, 2008). "The Roots of the Roots". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Kasman, Shari (June 20, 2012). "You're Playing the What? (The Sousaphone)". Toronto Standard.
- ^ Davis, Yvette. "Top Sousaphone Players of All Time". Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ Frisby, Mister Mann (February 19, 2014). "'Tuba Gooding Jr.' marches from South Philly to 'Tonight Show'". The Daily News.
- ^ "The Roots Release "…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin"". No Treble. May 27, 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2024.