Initially inspired by the style of Teddy Wilson, Bryant’s gospel inflections give his playing a modern, rootsy edge. Raised in a musical family - his mother played piano, his sister sang in a gospel choir - Bryant started out on bass, but his true calling was piano. With his brother Tom, he formed the Bryant Brothers who became the house band for Philadelphia's Blue Note Club, playing with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. By 1960, he had moved to New York and was a regular at the Village Vanguard. His 1960 debut album gave birth to the suprise hit, the sly, infectious "Little Susie." Bryant continued to create spry, soulful compositions to worldwide acclaim into the '90s.