Bio - BRIAN BATCHELOR-GLADER BRIAN BATCHELOR-GLADER BBG BIO RESUME

Meet BBG:

Brian Batchelor-Glader (‘BBG’) began studying the piano at age nine and quickly developed a strong foundation in classical music, which has led him along a rich and diverse musical path.

Brian’s love of music and performance in his early years also prompted him to try out for and star in musical productions such as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Guys and Dolls” at Ellet High School in Akron, Ohio, where he honed his singing and acting abilities—graduating with honors in 2001.

During this time, BBG furthered his education at the Birch Creek Summer Performance Center, studying with faculty from the Eastman School of Music. He also studied classical piano for many years with Cleveland State University professor Dan Barber.

However, Jazz music became Brian’s discipline of choice, and he quickly began performing regularly and professionally in the genre by the age of 15 at local Akron venues. A few of his major Jazz influences are Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Joe Zawinul, and Stevie Wonder.

To further his development in this area, Brian studied Jazz piano under Cleveland legend Dan Wall, and later with renowned Cincinnati Jazz musician Phil DeGreg at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Brian graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from CCM in 2005.

Brian has won numerous performance competitions along his musical journey, such as multiple first-place Jazz pianist awards at the Akron Jazz Fest, the Capital University Jazz Fest, the Findlay Jazz Fest, and the Lakeland Jazz Fest, as well as entry into the prestigious high school and collegiate OMEA All-State Jazz Bands.

He has also performed in professional orchestras such as the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Blue Ash Symphony, Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, and the Middletown Symphony

Brian taught at the college level as an adjunct faculty member at Xavier University from 2011-23.

Brian currently instructs students at the Cincinnati Music Academy.

BBG has toured the world with several bands. He has performed in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Bahamas. The musical projects he is involved with include: Organized Gentlemen, Old Green Eyes & BBG, Mambo Combo, The Philip Myers Band, BBG & Company, and, of course, Eclipse Movement, a groundbreaking Hip-Hop Fusion band who have won multiple Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. Eclipse once filmed a TV pilot with former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones for a talk show project called “In the Zone with Dhani Jones.”

Brian is also a producer and electronic music composer with Doctor Bionic of Chiefdom Records (F.K.A. Mission Control Records). He has co-produced nine albums to date covering Eclipse Movement – Eclipse, Jahson – The Battle Within, Subterrain – Subterrain, Mood – Live Again, BBG & Company – Live at the Blue Wisp, and CityBeat Magazine’s award for, Best Album of 2011, Eclipse Movement’s second studio release, Around the World, which was followed up by Eclipse Movement’s third album, Blind. In 2020, BBG released his favorite Doctor Bionic Album – The Love Frequency, as well as his Christmas Album, BBG & Company – Stocking Stuffers. He is also featured on new releases Mambo Combo – In Concert and Steve Raszka – Let’s Roll Let’s Ride.

Brian has performed with a wide variety of well-known musicians throughout his career, such as Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Brian Newman (Lady Gaga), CeeLo Green (Gnarls Barkley, OutKast), Othello Molineaux (Jaco Pastorious), Fred Wesley (James Brown), Kevin Chalfant (Journey), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Alex Ligertwood (Santana | Jeff Beck | Brian Auger), Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds), and Jim Keller (Tommy Tutone).

Résumé

Education

Ellet High School | Akron, OH. | 2001

College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) | 2005
University of Cincinnati

Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Piano Performance and Composition

Private Instructors and Mentors

Gail Powers, Classical Piano | 1993-1996
Dan Barber, Classical Piano (Cleveland State) | 1997-2001
Dan Wall, Jazz Piano | 2000-2001
Phil DeGreg, Jazz Piano (CCM) | 2001-2005

Teaching

Cincinnati Music Academy | 2006–Present
Piano Instructor

Weekly private piano lessons to a variety of students ranging from beginner to advanced
Styles of music taught include Classical, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, and Rock
Lessons include music theory, music reading, and composition
Students participate in bi-annual recitals

Xavier University | 2011-2023
Adjunct Faculty

Private jazz piano instruction
Students participate in school ensembles
Personal performance in faculty ensembles
Assistance with jazz ensembles

Wyoming Fine Arts Academy | 2009
Theory and Improvisation Teacher

Taught beginning theory and improvisation during their summer program

Buddy Rogers Music, Cincinnati, OH | 2004-2006
Piano Instructor

Private lessons for every skill level
Piano and keyboard instruction

Performance

ORCHESTRAL

•Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | 2024–Present
•Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | 2010–2012
•Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra | 2009
•Middletown Symphony | 2009

BANDS | PROJECTS

ORGANIST | PIANO

•St. Barnabas Episcopal Church | 2007-2013
•Holy Trinity Episcopal Church | 2012-2013
•Four Corners Church | 2005-2006

MUSICALS

Awards

Albums

Instruments

Primary:
•Piano
•Hammond Organ
•Keytar
•Keyboard
•MOOG Synthesizer
Secondary:
•Vocals
•Flute
•Guitar
•Bass
•Drums