Bio Angelo Branford started playing music after receiving a guitar for his 13th birthday. His first lessons were in the music appreciation class (transformed to a guitar workshop) of Mr. Norman Speiser. Afterwards he took private lessons with Mr. Sam Sunshine. He attended Brooklyn College where he studied under (among others) Robert Starer, Carol Oja, and Noah Creshevsky. After leaving Brooklyn College, Mr. Branford continued his studies in workshop situations led by such luminaries as bassist/composer William Parker, trombonist/composer George Lewis, and saxophonist/composer Steve Coleman, and guitarists Dave Spector and Steve Freund. During this time period, he distinguished himself  in two music groups within the world peace organisation SGI: The Brass Band (as Woodwind Section Chief) and The New Millenium Ensemble (as Music Director). Mr. Branford has also worked in the theater. He was Assistant Musical Director for the Love Creek Theatre's production "Sextet" and provided composition, musical directorship, and accompaniment to a production of Tennessee Williams' play "Purification" (both productions were staged in the mid-90s.   As well as leading and participating in many types of musical aggregations over the years (ranging from rock, blues, & reggae to jazz, R&B  and hip-hop), he is also a composer who has had his works performed in ensembles both in the United States and in Europe (Some of his compositions can be found on the CD "Wonderful Sound" by his quartet  (see Audio/Visual section of this site). He has also been a teacher of guitar in both continents, teaching students of all ages and of various levels of proficiency.

3 photos from a 2003 gig at Tillies (w/ Patrick Holmes on Clarinet, Reginald Sylvester on drums, and Danny Zanker on bass):