Bright Dog Red (BDR), an improvising collective from Albany, New York, fuses free improvisation, electronica, jazz, hip hop, psychedelia, and noise music.

BDR debuted in September 2015. In short time, the band’s regular performances have generated comparisons to “Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Digable Planets” (Paul Schulman), “electronic Ahmad Jamal,” (Don Lucoff), and to other psychedelic, jazz fusion, and hip hop luminaries.

In October 2018, BDR released “Means to the Ends,” the group’s debut album on the influential Ropeadope Records label.

In addition to leader Joe Pignato, drums and concepts, BDR features MC Cully, Electronic musician Cody Davies, Trumpeter Jarritt Sheel, Saxophonist Mike LaBombard, and Bassist Anthony Berman.

BDR also features a rotating cadre of affiliated members, players that occasionally augment the core ensemble. Affiliated members include founding guitarist Russell “TGRS” Somer, founding MC Righteous, and guitarists Mike Kemmlein and Zak Westbrook.