"Craig Brenner is a fine and funky pianist..." - Living Blues

Boogie-woogie, jazz, and blues pianist Craig Brenner is a performer, composer, teacher, and recipient of many arts grants.  The leader of Craig & The Crawdads and a member of The Ragin' Texans, Craig has released seven albums. He is the founder of Bloomington Boogies: The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival, helping keep boogie-woogie and similar non-classical styles alive through concerts, compositions, recordings, and hands-on music educational activities, including workshops, master classes, and in-school performances.

Craig's latest album is Passages (2020, on vinyl, CD, & files for download). Other recordings include 

• Live to Love, by Craig Brenner & The Crawdads
• Live at the Old Mint: Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano, with Alfred "Uganda" Roberts and Lori Brenner
• Window on the Soul, with Craig & The Crawdads
• Man at the Piano, with Craig & The Crawdads and guests
• Backstage Boogie, with Dan Hostetler on drums
• Play It Again, Professor!, with Craig & The Crawdads and guests 

Listen and/or purchase at Music.  For a limited time with purchase of a CD or album you can select and receive free sheet music for piano!  If you are a young pianist you can receive up to three free pieces!  Music is available for tunes on Passages ("Spring Is Near," "Life Is Precious," “Tut's Boogie Woogie,” “No One Should Die Alone,” and “Some Sexy Blues for Ya Right Here, Y'all”) and for tunes on other albums (“Opus 3 Number 6: Perusin' the Blues in C,” “To Boogie Or Not to Boogie, “Brenner's Boogie,” ”Bloomington Breakdown," “Backstage Boogie,” “Aimlessly He Floats,” etc.)!  Contact Craig for information.

Reviews of Passages by:

• Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene: "a fine pianist… swinging and joyful ... quality is consistently high and the results are enjoyable."
• Dan Willging, OffBeat: "blues, jazz, and boogie-woogie with a sparkling, rich technique."
• Mike Leonard, The Ryder Magazine 
• Connie Shakalis, The Herald-Times
• Crossroads Blues Society President Steve Jones, Blues Blast Magazine: "really good stuff with an eclectic mix of styles and genres to enjoy. I highly recommend checking him out!" 
• George Fish, "Politically Incorrect Leftist": "the whole thing fits nicely the Beatles' famous words on "Sgt. Pepper's..." ‘a splendid time is guaranteed for all!’"
• Merrill Garbus, Sound Opinions Show 809
• Writer/playwright/musician Cathi Norton of Finally Productions 

More reviews at Music. 

Listen to "Looking for a Job," produced by Nate Brenner (Tune-Yards, Naytronix).

Now available again - Live to Love by Craig Brenner & The Crawdads

Due to COVID-19, musicians lost considerable revenue. Make a donation.

Click below for information about

• Craig Brenner   Boogie woogie, blues, jazz, stride, New Orleans, and barrelhouse piano
• Review of Live At The Old Mint:  Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano
• Craig & The Crawdads   Foot-stompin' New Orleans R&B, Zydeco, blues, jazz, and swing
• Craig & Lori   Cocktail jazz, blues, swing, torch songs, and boogie woogie
• Bloomington Boogies: The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival
• Booking
• Sheet music for solo piano for "Nathaniel" and "The Crawdad Shuffle" and “Aimlessly He Floats.”