Thundercat Looks For Connections During A Bewildering Moment

  I  
Image

Thundercat is a second-generation product of the Los Angeles jazz scene: Drummer Ronald Bruner Sr., his father, gigged with saxophonist Rickey Washington, father of Kamasi Washington.

(Photo: The1point8)

Across four full-length efforts, Thundercat has pushed jazz into unknown territories. The bassist, though, remains keenly aware of the roles that his family—both his biological and chosen affiliates—have played in forging the unique sound.

Born Stephen Bruner, Thundercat has become an integral part of the contemporary jazz scene that’s sprouted in Los Angeles, a city many see wrapped in a romantic past. Bruner just sees it as home. He’s actually a second-generation product of the scene there: Drummer Ronald Bruner Sr., his father, gigged with saxophonist Rickey Washington, father of Kamasi Washington.

“There’s photos of us when we were babies. ... [Our parents] just kept us around each other,” Thundercat, who released It Is What It Is in April, said about the younger Washington. “Once they realized that we were very musically talented, they figured it would be better for us to hang out with each other” than to fall in with a questionable crowd.

As teens, the pair would practice in the Washingtons’ garage, a place they called “The Shed.” Longtime collaborators like the saxophonist and producer Flying Lotus form a significant and notable part of Thundercat’s expansive musical family.

“Like the leader of the band that I was in, Suicidal Tendencies, used to say all the time: ‘You have your family you’re born with and the family that you choose,’” the bassist recalled.

Among his various family members, Thundercat also is quick to credit a longtime teacher at Locke High School in Los Angeles with helping to raise him, musically.

Page 1 of 2   1 2 > 


  • Kandace_Springs_by_Eli_Sethna_copy.jpg

    “There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”

  • James_Brandon_Lewis_by_Julien_Vonier_lo-res.jpeg

    James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.

  • Hal_Galper_Courtesy_halgalper.com_copy.jpg

    Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.

  • DownBeat_May_8%2C_1975_2.jpg

    Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.

    Chuck Mangione, Rest in Peace

    Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…

  • Rodney_Whitaker_by_Lynne_Brown.jpg

    “Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.


On Sale Now
September 2025
Kurt Elling
Look Inside
Subscribe
Print | Digital | iPad