Jimmy Branly was born in Havana, Cuba and grew up in a rich musical environment of Cuban flavors. He began his studies at the Conservatory of Music in Havana Adolfo Guzman and ENA (National School of Art). At the young age of 9, his father introduced him to rock music including the band, Deep Purple. It was Deep Purple's 1972 album "Made in Japan" that captivated Jimmy and drew him into the world of music. Being introduced to this style of music was of special import since Rock was not a significant genre in Cuba. Jimmy was also exposed to other rock groups like Rush, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles building upon Jimmy's desire to transcribe these artists. He expanded his interests when he began listening to jazz greats like John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett to name a few.
Jimmy's professional career began at the young age of 15 where he met Hernan Lopez-Nussa from the Afro-Cuban jazz septet "Afrocuba" who could hear that Jimmy was someone he wanted to play with. Jimmy started playing with the original band "Cuarto Espacio" that combined the styles of fusion, rock, and Cuban music. Jimmy actually didn't start playing Cuban music in Cuba until 1996 with Issac Delgado. From there, Jimmy moved to NG La Banda. Jimmy continued to evolve in his approach to playing the drums when he worked with Gonzalo Rubalcaba who taught him to play with the more sensitive range of the instrument. Jimmy decided to move to California after being exposed to the rich range of social and musical opportunities that the United States has to offer.
Jimmy Branly has enjoyed a dual career as performer and sound engineer. A brief synopsis of his album credits include:
- Carol Welsman I Like Men: Reflections of Miss Peggy Lee: 2009: drummer, percussionist, engineer, producer.
- Flora Purim Speak No Evil: 2003: Drums on "This Magic," and Percussion on "Speak No Evil"
- Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars Tambolero: 2007: percussionist
- Laura Harrison Now....Here: 2010: drums, percussionist, mixing engineer and co-producer.
- Otmaro Ruiz: Sojourn: 2008: drummer, percussionist, mixing engineer.
- Rebeca Mauleón: Descarga en California: 2006: drums, mixing engineer.
- Sandro Albert: The Color of Things: 2005: drums.
- Strunz and Farah: Fantaseo: 2009: drums and percussionist.
Among his performance credits (in Cuba and the U.S.) are:
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chucho Valdez, Emiliano Salvador, NG la Banda, Issac Delgado, Cuarto Espacio, Ernan Lopez Nussa quartet, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, Michael Nesmith,Tony Perez, Strunz and Farah, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Franky Negron, Sheila E, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, Otmaro Ruiz, Riahnnon, The Carlos Cuevas Trio, Rebeca Mauleón, Francisco Aguabella, Poncho Sanchez, Luis Conte, Justo Almario, Brandon Fields, Mike Turre, Alex Acuña, Gregg Bissonette, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Susie Hansen, Alan Pasqua, Brian Lynch quartet, Andy Narell, Andy Garcia, David Carpenter, Brian Bromberg, Emil Richards, Harry Shearer, Judith Owen, Doc Severinsen, Pat Senatore, Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, Jimmy Johnson, Carol Welsman, Oscar Cartaya, Sandro Albert's, Kellye Gray, Luis Conte, Michito Sanchez ,David valentin,Bob Sheppard, John Pissano, John Patitucci, Josvany Terry, Joe Gian, Victor Bailey, Renato Neto, Morrie Louden group, Adonis Puentes, Ricardo Silveira, Lou Forestieri, Theo Saunders, Billy Childs, Kellye Gray, Don Grusin, Omar Sosa, John Proulx, Ken Peplowski, Tom Scott, Edwin Livingston, Lyle Mays, and many others.
