Innovative, electrifying, and zealous are three words that describe the passion and drive found in bassist, James Bratten. Known to most as “Jay,” Bratten has created a compilation of our favorite hymns sure to take us back to when we first believed. “I’ve been playing music basically all my life,” says Bratten. “I started off on drums and then tickled the keys a bit, which led me to the key bass. Then, one day, only because the keyboard was broken and there were no other keyboards to play did I pick up an old raggedy four-string bass… and fell in love instantly!”
Bratten’s debut project entitled “Hymns My Way” presents 16 of Gospel’s greatest hymns to remind us of the foundational truths of our Christian faith etched in our hearts by Gospel music more than 200 years ago. Including songs like “At The Cross,” “Precious Lord” led by his mother and accompanied by his cousin, musician and producer William “JB” Bratten, “My Help” led by solo artist and musician Thomas “TC” Clay, “There Is a Fountain” led by Dove-nominated Tammy Trout, and “In Christ Alone” with vocals by solo artists Kaneisha “NeeCee” Trott and Aaron Camper, Bratten fused multi-talented artists with diverse genres of music to express one corporate message – Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever more!
Bratten says, “This project was something that didn’t start off as big as it became! It was something I just felt the need to do. There was WAAYYY too much commercial music out here! I’m a real musician. I like REAL instrumentation – real pianos, real strings, real drums, real everything! And in this album, that’s what you get! Real Music! I LOVE GOD and He gave me a gift that I’ll never take lightly! I’m excited about this project and hope listeners have an awesome experience hearing what was given from God, to me, to them!”
For the last ten years, Bratten has continued to thrive in the music industry and built a notable reputation for his unique sound, stage presence, and a personality just as creative as the musical masterpieces he coins. He has graced many stages in the music industry, having the opportunity to play with Musiq Soul Child, Tye Tribbett, Jill Scott, Mario Barret, Fantasia, Jaguar Wright, Flo Rida, Martha Munizzi, Youthful Praise, Norman Hutchins, Bruce Parham and currently, Drake. He has also displayed his talents in live television performances including “The David Letterman Show” with Chamillionaire, “The American Music Awards” with Drake, and Dick Clark’s “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” with Flo Rida. His discography includes the work of J. Cole “Born Sinner,” Tasha Cobbs “Grace,” Tye Tribbett “Fresh,” Angela Johnson’s “It’s Personal,” and Musiq Soulchild’s “A Philly Christmas.” Bratten is also honing his skills as a producer for the debut project of NeeCee Trott set to release later in 2014. “Hymns My Way” will be available for sale on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby beginning May 13th.
