‘American Idol’ 2023: Who is Phredley Brown? Pianist dubbed ‘unsung hero’ of the singing show
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ophrah Kablan, a 20-year-old nail technician, hopes to transport the 'American Idol' judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan to church with her rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'Baby I Love You'. Fans back home, on the other hand, were taken away by her pianist, whom they think totally stole the show.
The vocalist performs the 1960s standard as if she were in charge of a revival. "I’m trying to get y’all outta your seats today," Ophrah proclaims before breaking into a spirited and soulful rendition of the song. "Wake us up!" Katy asserts. Lionel sings along with the piano music, mouthing the lyrics. "Hallelujah!" Ophrah exclaims as she completes her confident and easy performance, misting up, as Lionel leaps from his seat. The judges start responding to Ophrah like a church audience, waving their hands and shouting. As Ophrah dances around the circle, pianist Phredley Brown joins in the fun, instantly diving into some church riffs. Katy dances around the panel as Luke performs in a southern revival manner. The gathering has devolved into pandemonium. "Please, please!" exclaims Lionel at the end. "The congregation, let’s come to order," he adds. "Look what you did Ophrah. You became our salvation, girl! You have brought us back to some sanity!" The three chant and exclaim their approval. Lionel says, "YOU-ah YOU-ah YOU-ah…." "You are going to Hollywood," Katy and Luke exclaim, leaping from their chairs.
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Who is 'American Idol' pianist Phredley Brown?
Phredley Brown, who was born and raised in Southfield, has always been fascinated by music. Natalie, his mother, was his first musical influence. During the child's infancy, Natalie taught private piano and vocal classes, and after three years, Phredley had heard enough. Natalie informed the 3-year-old that she needed to stop concentrating on other children and start teaching him. Phredley acquired an insatiable musical hunger and the innate ability to master any instrument put in his hands. Phredley grew up playing percussion in church, trombone and saxophone in school performance bands, and still found time outside of school to learn trumpet, guitar, bass, and other instruments.
Phredley chose not to attend music school after graduating from The Roeper School and spending a month on tuition at the University of Michigan. Phredley returned to Detroit to find his footing in the music world, and his path ultimately brought him to Los Angeles. Phredley's travels have carried him all over the globe since then. He has shared stages with the likes of Mystikal, Mark Ronson, Wiz Khalifa, Skylar Grey, Billy Ray Cyrus, B.o.B, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Pharell Williams, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Damien Marley, Stephen Marley, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, and others.
Phredley is presently the Musical Director, Guitarist, Keyboardist, and Vocalist for Bruno Mars. He has performed on The Super Bowl, The MTV Video Music Awards, 'The Today Show,' 'The Voice,' 'American Idol,' 'The Grammys,' 'Saturday Night Live,' and stadiums around the globe. Fender Guitars and DR Strings both endorse Phredley Brown.
'Great to see him have the space to come alive and improv'
Fans didn't hold back from praising the pianist during the audition as they left comments under Oprah's audition, "The pianist killed it!!!" Another one added, "You know for a fact that pianist was raised in the church. You can’t teach improv like that, and he read the situation perfectly…" One fan noted, "Loved everything about her, from her voice/attitude down to her dimples. She KILLED her audition. And I love the pianist - great to see him have the space to come alive and improv." A fourth fan commented, "That pianist tho."
One fan also commented, "The pianist is on fireeeeeeeee." Another viewer added, "She and the pianist had me smiling from ear to ear." Calling him the hero, one fan noted, "The accompanist is the unsung hero of this show!"
'American Idol' Season 21 airs every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC.
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