About Brett Gardner

Born in Tampa FL, Brett Gardner joined his first band playing the guitar with The Pink Dinos at Booker T. Washington Middle School. For high school, he attended Blake High School of the Arts and studied classical guitar under the direction of John Parris. While in high school, Brett also studied with Thomas Coffey and Geoff Caputo.

In 2007, Brett competed in the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition and was recognized as the Runner-Up National Champion for Classical Guitar and Florida State Champion for Classical Guitar.

At Florida State University, Brett received a Bachelor Of Science in Physics. In 2011, he was recognized as the Günter Schwarz Memorial Scholar, awarded to students “who have outstanding records in physics and who have also participated significantly in music or related arts”. He graduated Cum Laude as a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society.

After graduating, Brett founded the Trashtronauts, a music outreach program focusing on building homemade instruments and playing them in a group. The Trashtronauts also featured a performing group. In 2014, they won 1st place in the ReThink Energy Florida Songwriter’s Competition. The Trashtronauts were a Featured Artist at the Sustainable Tallahassee Sustainable YOU Conference, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Solar Uprising Rally, and The Sharing Tree Green Arts Festival.

In New Orleans, performs professionally with Smoking Time Jazz Club, Dinosaurchestra, and the Cigar Box Serenaders. Brett has been a featured as an artist at the Mini Maker Faire, ARTCYCLE: Creative Reuse of Salvaged Materials, New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz Fest, and Satchmo Summerfest.

As a musician, Brett focuses on unifying rhythm, harmony and melody while developing a unique, personal voice on the instrument.

In his free time, Brett enjoys long distance hiking, biking, camping, cooking curries, and hanging out with his partner’s roommate’s cat.