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He could quit his day job—really! by Cindy Abole Public Relations Jazz trumpeter and legendary composer Miles Davis was known for his masterful lyrical and melodic style and natural ability to transform music that was as inherent as his approach to life.   “My future starts when I wake up every morning... Everyday I find something creative to do with my life,” Davis once said.   Besides playing the sax and keyboard, Brisendine is an accomplished drummer for Vehicle and other local bands. That search for excellence is the high note of what drives MUSC Hollings Cancer Center’s (HCC) Alan Brisendine. By day, Brisendine works as a cancer study coordinator for HCC’s gastrointestinal and genitourinary clinical trials programs. On the flipside, he’s a multi-talented musician, collaborator and music arranger working in Charleston’s emerging music scene. His musical repertoire stems from  interests in rock and roll, pop and bluegrass, to jazz, fusion and hip-hop. He expresses the varied sounds playing drums, saxophone and keyboard as a sideman and member to a variety of local bands.   Like Davis, Brisendine seeks to strike a balance between reality and creativity.   Members of the band, Vehicle, (from left Tad Fletcher, Brisendine, Justin Cain and John Fitzgerald) discuss the play list for their July 11 debut at The Pour House. “I’m really honored to have the opportunity and time to do what I do,” said Brisendine. “It’s something I’ve learned to discover within myself—the desire to be committed to a career in oncology research that I’m proud of. I’m just grateful to be working in a good job and living here in the Lowcountry. At the same time, when I leave work, I know that I’m also headed to something that I’m just as passionate about and proud of, which is playing great music.”      A Greenville native, Brisendine’s interest in music is deep-rooted. His earliest memory of music was learning to play guitar at age 8. “My fingers were too small,” he said flashing a teasing smile. He switched to piano and continued playing until age 12. He learned to play and master the saxophone throughout high school. His love for drums and percussion soon followed in college.      Alan Brisendine plays the saxophone and tambourine as part of the group Booty Call. For a brief time he attended Furman University as a music student, only to drop out during his second year due to the school’s rigid curriculum and tough, competitive environment. A few years later, an older and wiser Brisendine enrolled at Greenville Technical College to study computer science and later became a business major after transferring to the College of Charleston in 2001.   As a college student, he excelled and worked as a part-time data entry clerk with MUSC’s Clinical Innovation Group (now the Data Coordination Unit). That experience led to a full-time data management coordinator position assisting patients and coordinating research activities for a 500-person statewide National Lung Screening Trial, comparing cancer screening methods sponsored by HCC’s Clinical Trials Office. His open personality, friendliness and commitment to patients contribute to the trial by gaining better data quality and meaningful results.      “Alan’s work requires him to interact with an entire clinical team to ensure that patients enrolled in clinical trials complete the study per the guidelines outlined in the research protocol. This is work that requires the most detail-oriented and organized individual, which Alan is,” said Tricia Adrales Bentz, Hollings Cancer Center Research Network coordinator.      While Brisendine’s day job was taking off, he never abandoned his creative side. Whenever he could, he continued to meet and collaborate with musicians and played gigs with bands around the Charleston area.      “When I first arrived in Charleston, I took what I could get,” Brisendine recalls. “I realized I was better off helping others by bringing out the best in other people’s projects rather than focusing on my own. When somebody needed a drummer, a keyboardist or a saxophone player, I was there. What musicians look for is the ability to collaborate with others and taking their music to a level they never expected.”      Though not known as a significant source for original music, Charleston is changing. Today’s homegrown market is developing interest and popularity thanks to the success of several local bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, Jump, Little Children and the Working Title.     The bands Brisendine has played with include the Kevin West Band, Booty Call, Blue Sphere (now regrouped and known as Unisol), Key of Q and Vehicle, his latest collaboration with a four-member progressive rock band. He prefers playing in small music venues like the Music Farm, the Pour House, the Kickin’ Chicken locations, Cumberlands and an array of Folly Beach bars.      “Alan’s a real professional,” said Scott Oliver, a Lowcountry guitarist who’s worked with his friend, Brisendine. The pair are bandmates with Unisol. “He’s very good at what he does. Alan’s considered one of the most sought after musicians in this area because of his multiple talents, experience and positive attitude. He’s a rarity among musicians.”      Asked to name his musical heroes and influences, Brisendine’s face lights up as he breaks into a broad grin. Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Frank Zappa and jazz and classical pianist Keith Jarrett come quickly to his mind.       “Jazz greats like Miles Davis were a great influence on me,” Brisendine said, who gives credit to his college roommate’s extensive jazz masters collection. “That set me off on a different path. I heard a lot about ‘chops’ musicians pushing their instruments to the limit and that’s what I wanted to do. Although I didn’t receive any formal jazz training, it gave me an idea of how passionate I can be with my own music. Jazz is about improvising and creativeness that can be played on the spot. I want to play like that.”      A highlight for any musician, Brisendine played for soul legend James Brown during a November concert benefitting Camp Happy Days. Among his greatest highlights was with Booty Call playing an impromptu performance as back-up to the legendary “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. The band performed two selections, “Sex Machine” and “I Feel Good.”      Despite the active, intense days and equally long nights, he’s learned to recognize when to rest from the music. In 2005, he decided to semi-retire from music only to back out of his decision. He missed the opportunity of collaborating with others and performing.      “Once you’re on stage there’s something that’s electrifying in connecting with the audience,” Brisendine said. “It’s almost addictive.”      Booty Call's brass section grooves to some popular tunes during a performance. For now, Brisendine believes his life rests in harmonious balance.   On one hand, he’s working hard to help cancer patients in the discovery of new treatment protocols and regimes to improve their quality of life. On the other, he will continue to push his own musical boundaries to a level and style that is uniquely his own.     Friday, July 28, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.