Bryan Loren facts for kids

Bryan Loren Hudson (May 5, 1966 – January 28, 2026), known professionally as Bryan Loren, was a talented American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was also nicknamed The Wiz because of his amazing keyboard skills. Bryan Loren created many popular songs and worked with some of the biggest names in music. He is especially known for producing and writing "Do the Bartman" for The Simpsons in 1990. His own songs, like "Lollipop Luv" and "Do You Really Love Me?", were also hits. He collaborated with famous artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Sting, and Eric Benét.

Who Was Bryan Loren?

Bryan Loren was a gifted musician who made a big impact on the music world. He was known for his ability to play many instruments and create catchy songs. His career spanned several decades, leaving behind a legacy of memorable music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Bryan Loren was born on Long Island, New York, in 1966. He moved to South Philadelphia when he was very young. From the age of five, Bryan showed a strong interest in music. He started by playing drums and quickly learned many other instruments. Eventually, he could play every instrument needed to record a full album! Bryan was inspired by the vibrant music scene in South Philadelphia. He often mentioned the "Sound of Philadelphia" and artists like Stevie Wonder as his early influences.

Bryan Loren's Amazing Music Journey

Bryan Loren began his professional music career at a young age. He was composing music by age 12. By 15, he was a professional session artist, meaning he played instruments for other artists' recordings. He signed his first record deal when he was just 17 years old.

Starting as Bryan Hudson

From 1981, Bryan worked as a session musician at Alpha International Studios. A session musician is someone who plays instruments for recordings without being a permanent band member. During this time, he recorded with groups like Nona Hendryx and Tavares. All his early work was credited under his birth name, Bryan Hudson.

Joining Fat Larry's Band

Bryan Loren's first experience as a band member was with Fat Larry's Band. He played synthesizers for them. He recorded on their albums Breakin' Out in 1982 and Straight from the Heart in 1983. It was during this time that his bandmates gave him the nickname "The Wiz." This was because of his incredible skill and "wizardry" on the keyboards. The band went on a national tour, but Bryan was too young to join them. He later recorded with Fat Larry's Band again in 1986 for their album Nice.

Creating Music with Cashmere

Bryan also joined the band Cashmere. He wrote music for their 1983 album, Let the Music Turn You On. He also sang backing vocals, showing off his talent as a singer. The owner of Alpha International Studios noticed Bryan's potential. He offered Bryan a solo recording contract with Philly World Records. Bryan signed the contract and began using "Bryan Loren" as his professional name. This name stayed with him for the rest of his career.

His Solo Career as Bryan Loren

In 1984, Bryan Loren released his first solo album, simply called Bryan Loren. This album featured two popular songs. "Lollipop Luv" reached number 23 on Billboard's R&B chart. "Do You Really Love Me" peaked at number 68. Bryan performed all the music and vocals on this album himself. He also managed the production, mixing, and engineering. The album was re-released in 2012 by BBR Records.

In 1992, Bryan released another solo album called Music from the New World with Arista Records. A special song on this album, "To Satisfy You," featured Michael Jackson singing background vocals. Michael Jackson had heard the song during his own album recording sessions. He liked it so much that he agreed to sing on it when Bryan decided to keep it for his own album. Another song, "For You," was originally considered by Janet Jackson for her album Rhythm Nation 1814 in 1989. However, it was not used at that time.

Working with Music Stars

Bryan Loren was a sought-after collaborator for many famous artists. In 1990, he helped create the hit song "Do the Bartman" from The Simpsons Sing the Blues. He produced the song, sang background vocals, and co-wrote it. Interestingly, Michael Jackson also helped write the song but chose not to be officially credited. This was because of a special contract he had with another record company. "Do the Bartman" became a huge international hit, reaching number one in several countries.

Bryan worked with Michael Jackson again in 1991 on Jackson's album Dangerous. He played drums and other percussion instruments on that album. Bryan also wrote songs for other big stars, including Whitney Houston's "Feels So Good." He produced music for artists like Damion Hall, Eric Benét, Barry White, and Sting.

A Talented Artist Remembered

Bryan Loren passed away on January 28, 2026. His passing was confirmed by his close friend, Shana Mangatal, and his brother, Geno. He will be remembered for his incredible musical talents and contributions.

Awards and Recognition

In 1990, Bryan Loren received the Sony Innovator's award in Sound. This award recognized his innovative work in music. Famous musician George Benson praised Bryan, saying, "Bryan's got the power of talent, his imagination will take him far."

Bryan Loren's Albums

Studio albums

• Bryan Loren (1984)
• Music from the New World (1992)