Morning Light, Sunset Kiss: Tripping with Brian Culbertson

Acclaimed jazz artist Brian Culbertson released his highly anticipated new album, Day Trip in September of 2025, the project showcasing Culbertson’s genre-bending artistry and features an all-star lineup of collaborators, blending contemporary jazz, funk, fusion, and deeply soulful grooves into a vibrant musical journey.

Indeed, in support of the release Culbertson headed out on the “Day Trip Tour,” the first leg kicking off mid-October of last year, making stops in 27 major cities across the country. The tour brought forth a high-energy, captivating live experience led by Culbertson with a 10-piece band.

The album’s lead single, “On The Road” - featuring Sheila E. & Marcus Miller - fast entered the Top 20, offering fans a taste of the energy and innovation that defines the new record.

The album includes 11 dynamic tracks featuring a powerhouse roster of special guests: Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Isaiah Sharkey, Kirk Whalum, and Mike Stern. Longtime collaborators and top-tier musicians including Nicholas Cole (who co-wrote 9 of the songs with Brian), Nathan East, Lil’ John Roberts, Lenny Castro, Paul Jackson, Jr., Ray Parker Jr., Michael Stever, and Michael “Patches” Stewart also contribute to the album’s rich and layered sound.

With 29 albums and an incredible 40 Billboard #1 singles under his belt, Brian Culbertson has solidified his place as one of the most exciting and genre-defying instrumentalists of our time. A powerhouse keyboardist, songwriter, and producer, Culbertson blends jazz, funk, R&B, pop, and more into a sound that’s uniquely his — and always evolving.

I sat down with Brian and we discussed everything from this new album, his live shows, hidden elements to the album artwork, his latest music purchases and, oh yeah ......... his thoughts on penguins!

Being that Day Trip is your 26th studio album, and features yet more of your incredible genre-bending artistry, blending jazz, funk, fusion and soulful grooves effortlessly, how did your creative sound differ here on this new recording as opposed to your previous outputs? - “I think there are two main differences on this new album that set it apart from my others. One, the songwriting. Before I even started writing anything, I came up with the concept that I wanted which was “more adventurous” and “musically complex” songs that would allow for a very high level of musicianship from each player to shine through.”

“Two, the cast of artists who performed on this album are some of the greatest in the world, starting with the core rhythm section of Nathan East, Lil’ John Roberts, Paul Jackson, Jr., Isaiah Sharkey, Lenny Castro, and Nicholas Cole (who I co-wrote 9 of these songs with). Add the horn players and the special guests (Sheila E., Branford Marsalis, Marcus Miller, Kirk Whalum, Mike Stern, Eric Marienthal, and Randy Brecker), it’s really incredible and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with everyone.”

Indeed, what were some of the biggest obstacles along the way to bringing this album to fruition and how did you overcome them? - “As always, there were a few hurdles on this particular record that proved challenging. Scheduling everyone was a major ordeal, as most people are always on and off tour and/or recording their own projects. So, to get everyone to commit to exact dates/times/locations months in advance (since there was a lot of travel involved), it was quite a feat that we made it happen! Beyond that, I moved and had to build a new studio in the middle of touring (we were on The Trilogy Tour still), as well as finishing the Trilogy Tour Concert film all during the making of Day Trip. So, there was a lot of compartmentalizing going on. The music honestly was the easiest part!”

As for the new album, I understand that it is being touted as one using no computer sequencing, featuring no shortcuts, making it a compositional sonic adventure, so can you please explain just what these newly dived into rhythms, movements and patterns within your artistry mean to you; within the context of how it came together, both thematically and musically? - “I wanted to make the music feel alive by not using computers, because back in the day, it was just musicians playing parts live until you got it right. That’s what we did here on Day Trip and I think it feels very organic for the most part.”

“Of course, I love programming tracks, especially when the songs go in that direction, more like The Trilogy for instance. However, for Day Trip, the vibe was totally different and the songs really pushed me to go for the all live approach. I wouldn’t say there were any new rhythms or pattens here as I’m certainly not reinventing the wheel, but I definitely wanted to get more free since a lot of the music I was inspired by (back in the late 70’s and early 80’s) was that way.”

Indeed, a lot of words and terms have already been used to describe your music over the years, but how would you yourself sum up your sound on this new album ... and in just five (5) words? - “Besides Adventurous, which I’ve already used, I’d say: Melodic, Sophisticated, Funky, Soulful, Exciting.”

Please tell us (in a couple of sentences or less) a little more about what these tracks noted below mean to you and how they came to be:

On The Road - “This was the first single on jazz radio as it just jumped out of the speakers with energy like a train that doesn’t stop! From the very beginning, the pulse of this track hooks you in, and with both Marcus Miller and Sheila E. on top, it’s a party!”

U-Turn - “I was hearing like a crazy be-bop "head" (melody) and I just kept singing it to myself. I finally recorded it into my phone one day while walking around and then once back in the studio, I had to figure out what those notes were. That was the most challenging part, lol. As you listen to this one, you’ll understand as this horn melody is one of the hardest lines I’ve ever played. I was on trombone, along with Patches on trumpet. Of course, Branford Marsalis made it look easy, haha!! This song is really special because I got to record in New Orleans with both Patches and Branford which was amazing. One other interesting and unique touch on this one is that we created a hybrid bass track with BOTH Nathan East and Marcus Miller which I’m not sure had ever really been done.”

In The Vines - “Ah yes, maybe the most relaxing song of the album. While writing it, I kept envisioning walking thru the vineyards (glass in hand) in Napa Valley on a sunny late afternoon and trying to capture that vibe of total chill mixed with sophistication. And having Kirk Whalum be a part of it just made it even that much more authentic as both Nicholas and I heard Kirk’s “voice” on this one from the start. As I mentioned before, scheduling was a challenge and this song was maybe the hardest as Kirk was tied up with his record label since he had just released his latest album when I first reached out so he wasn’t able to commit. However, because I spent more than 2 years making Day Trip, I asked him again towards the end of that time and he was thankfully able to make it happen. I was thrilled as I had no plan B for who could play that part (let’s face it, no one else could have).”

A Hundred Miles - “By far the most wild and epic track on Day Trip!! Inspired by “Skunk Funk” by The Brecker Bros., “That’s The Way of The World” by EWF, and “Ten Mile Jog” by George Duke, this one definitely has the kitchen sink and everything else in it. From super funk, to half-time “oh-yeah,” to just all out jamming, there are like four different songs all in one here. I’ve certainly never done anything like this which made it so much fun. There’s another hybrid bass part on this one too with both Nathan and Marcus. And of course, Randy Brecker and Eric Marienthal just went all out! It’s definitely one of my most favorite tracks I’ve ever produced.”

And was Day Trip always going to be the albums name or was there another that nearly won the race come the time to take your hands off the project? - “Yes, Day Trip was the name before I even starting writing songs! This is extremely rare, but like I said, I had this concept and the title just popped into my head and stuck. It was cool having that title from the onset, as the song titles really came together to create the idea of a full day trip, further cementing the overall concept.”

Being that we’re not called Exclusive Magazine for nothing, is there a hidden message, a secret notation or an easter egg to be found amongst all the tracks assembled for this recording? - “Sorry to disappoint, but there is nothing hidden in the music. However, in the CD and Vinyl artwork, there’s a map with three pins on it located in Door County, WI, and those are where all the photos were taken, including the cover pic.”

Noting the amount of guests on the album, from Branford Marsalis and Kirk Whalum to Randy Brecker and Shelia E., I’m wondering who you were the most excited about joining the project? - “Of course everyone is an icon in their own right, but I would say it was Branford mainly because I had never worked with him before and I was a massive fan of his all the way back to the first Sting album that he played on back in 1984 (I was just 11). The combo of jazz and pop/funk was just incredible to me and I think we captured a little bit of that on “U-Turn” which I’m really proud of.”

OK, I would be remiss if I didn’t pay mention to your always most wondrously sculpted hair stylings. A force to be reckoned with, what can you reveal about what time and product goes into it before you take the stage or make appearances? - “Haha ... well it starts with a good a blow dry into the direction each part should go, then sculpting paste to form it out, then a very strong hold hair spray to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand on stage! It’s pretty quick actually, no more than a few minutes.”

What are some of the last albums (CD, vinyl, cassette, et al) you physically purchased (vintage and/or new releases) and which one have you already gone back to listen to more and why? - “Like most people these days, I’m mostly streaming (I use the TIDAL app because of it’s hi-res playback and artist friendly business policies). On CD, I bought an album that has been out awhile, but I just love it and listen a lot if I’m reading or chilling out. It’s “January” by Marcin Wasilewski Trio from 2008 on the ECM label.”

“On vinyl, I bought a Led Zeppelin box set which is awesome to listen to as it really takes you back to that era. And I will admit that I did recently purchase a bunch of used cassettes of my “favorite” albums growing up: Purple Rain by Prince, Love Deluxe by Sade, Still Life (talking) by Pat Metheny, Chicago 17, Joshua Tree by U2, So by Peter Gabriel, and Nothing Like The Sun by Sting. There’s something very calming and for sure nostalgic about listening on analog cassette with a good set of headphones.”

What would you like all the readers of this interview to know about the new album and what to expect? - “To me, it’s a feel good album and a fun and uplifting listen. No matter if you’re casually checking it out, or diving deep into the musicality of it all, I think there is something for everyone here. There’s catchy melodies, wild improvisations, funky grooves, slow jams, and soulful and touching moments as well. The beauty of instrumental music is that you can create your own story with it that fits into your life. There are no words telling you what to think or feel, and it’s very much open to interpretation, just like a great painting.”

And yes, we ask everyone we interview this very same question (as we are putting together a kid’s book), we here at Exclusive Magazine love Penguins and so we were wondering if you had any love for them and/or had a story of one (soft toy, zoo, chocolate bar, relative, etc.) that you could share with us? - “Yes, penguins are amazing! I had the opportunity to pet an emperor penguin at Sea World Orlando many years ago and was just in awe of the thickness of their feathers. I got to go into their indoor habitat and had to wear two coats because it was so cold in there. I found out if they were to be outside in the 70-degree temp, they would totally overheat which you really understand when you have the chance to hang out with them.”

“Their layers of feathers are so thick and densely packed, you can’t even get thru them to reach their skin. It’s amazing. The one I got to pet was super cool and chill and I’ll never forget that experience. I also love any nature show about penguins as well, from the whole Planet Earth series and beyond.”

And finally, we asked Brian to kindly provide a never-before-seen photograph of himself. One that perfectly personified his readiness for the world to hear his new musical endeavor. And kindly, this is what he very kindly sent us.