2015–2019: Continuity, Collaboration, and the Modern Stage

The Ensemble as Architecture

Central to this era is the continued evolution of CAB and its extended musical family. Performances during this period frequently feature a rotating cast of high-level players, guitarists, keyboardists, and drummers drawn from the upper tier of fusion and contemporary jazz. What remains constant is Brunel’s presence at the center, not as a dominant force, but as an organizing principle. His bass work continues to define the harmonic direction of the ensemble, shaping not only the groove but the architecture of each piece in real time.

The Club Years, Refined

Live performance becomes the primary medium through which this evolution is expressed. Appearances at venues such as The Baked Potato and Alvas Showroom position Brunel within a lineage of Los Angeles-based fusion that values immediacy, interplay, and audience proximity. These are not large-scale productions. They are working environments, rooms where musicians test ideas, stretch forms, and engage directly with listeners who understand the language.

Global Presence

At the same time, Brunel’s international presence remains active. Tours and festival appearances, including performances tied to global jazz circuits such as the Madajazzcar Jazz Festival, underscore his continued relevance beyond the American scene. These engagements reflect a career-long pattern: an ability to adapt his musical voice to varied cultural contexts without losing its core identity. Whether in an intimate club or an international festival setting, the emphasis remains on communication through structure and tone.

Collaboration as Continuity

Collaboration during this period is equally significant. Brunel shares the stage with a wide spectrum of artists, from fusion veterans to emerging players, maintaining a balance between mentorship and partnership. It is also during this time that Kaylene Peoples steps into his performance sphere—an entrance that would prove both musically and personally consequential. A vocalist, composer, and publisher with a distinct artistic voice, Peoples brings a layered sensibility to the stage, blending jazz tradition with cinematic and contemporary elements. Her role within these performances signals a shift toward a more integrated creative partnership, where musical dialogue extends beyond the bandstand. These moments reflect not simply collaboration, but the early formation of a lasting artistic alliance.

The Instrument as Voice

Technically, his playing during these years reflects a continued emphasis on clarity and control. The fretless bass remains a defining voice, lyrical, precise, and capable of carrying melodic weight without sacrificing rhythmic authority. His use of harmonics and chordal textures continues to expand the instrument’s role, reinforcing his long-standing approach to the bass as both foundation and narrative voice.

A Legacy in Motion

What distinguishes this period is its sense of continuity. There is no dramatic shift in direction, no attempt to rebrand or reposition. Instead, Brunel operates with the confidence of an artist who understands his place within the music, and the responsibility that comes with it. Each performance, each collaboration, reinforces a body of work built on discipline, adaptability, and a refusal to compromise musical integrity.

In the broader arc of his career, 2015 to 2019 stands as a testament to endurance, not as persistence alone, but as sustained excellence. It is the sound of an artist still engaged, still evolving, and still defining the terms of his own legacy.