Oscar-nominated musician and composer Brian Donohoe has performed and recorded around the world and across a bewildering variety of genres. From Bruno Mars and the Black Pumas to early works of Snarky Puppy and his own funk-fusion band, Progger, Brian has contributed to countless performances and productions in jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and soundtrack music.

Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brian’s early love of jazz, art-rock, and soundtracks was juxtaposed with significant exposure to hip hop, gangsta rap, and death metal. While keenly aware of the challenging social and economic issues in his community, he was fortunate to grow up in a loving and highly musical household, playing his mom’s piano and dad’s guitar from an early age. By high school he played bass in a psychedelic rock band, piano and saxophone with jazz groups, and clarinet in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony.

While studying music at the University of North Texas and recording four albums with the Grammy-nominated One O’clock Lab Band, he formed friendships with a crew of young musicians that would go on to become Snarky Puppy and contributed several compositions to the Grammy-winning group’s early records. For the decade that followed, Brian bounced around between Dallas, Austin, and New York City working as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger while producing four albums and numerous North American tours with his beloved Progger friends.

Since settling in Austin in 2018, Brian has worked frequently with Adrian Quesada, the Grammy-winning producer, guitarist, Prince alumnus, and leader of the Black Pumas. In addition to Adrian’s solo records, “Boleros Psicodélicos” and “Jaguar Sound,” Brian contributed arrangements to Quesada-produced artists Molly Burch, Jaime Wyatt, the Black Pumas, and Abraham Alexander.

Brian serves on the faculty of Austin Community College teaching composition and piano, and he’s a proud member of the Recording Academy and the American Federation of Musicians (local 433). He enjoys studying kung fu, spends as much time in nature as he can get away with, and loves hanging out with his brilliant wife. He writes and records in his home studio as much as possible when he isn’t flying out to do work for the occasional pop superstar.

For booking, commissions, or lessons, email Brian: