Biography
Biography
Charles Anthony Bryant — known to the world as C. Anthony Bryant — is recognized as one of the most versatile, powerful, and technically sound voices of our day. A highly sought-after vocalist, vocal instructor, composer, choral conductor, coach, and bandleader, Bryant has performed in houses of worship, on the operatic and concert stage, in nightclubs, recording studios, and on film sets — each time bringing a rare combination of technical mastery and deeply felt emotion that leaves audiences transformed.
A native of Washington, D.C. and a proud resident of Harlem, New York City, Bryant's musical journey took him first to Atlanta's historic and prestigious Morehouse College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2005. He then continued his training at the Manhattan School of Music, completing his Master of Music in 2007. These formative years shaped a musician whose command spans every genre — from the spiritual fervor of gospel to the sophisticated improvisation of jazz, from the discipline of classical repertoire to the raw soul of R&B.
Bryant leads the band 5th Sunday, an ensemble that has electrified stages across the country. As a solo artist, his debut album Hymnody, Vol. I (released January 2015) showcased his extraordinary ability to reimagine sacred music with fresh arrangements and stunning vocal performances. He is currently at work on his second solo recording project.
The stages that have welcomed Bryant read like a roll call of America's most storied venues. He completed a residency at the legendary Minton's Playhouse for their Soul Stirring Sunday Nights series. He has performed multiple times at Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he was featured in the role of "Big Chief" for Mardi Gras celebrations with Alphonso Horne and The Gotham Kings, headlined the Juneteenth Jubilee, and appeared in Come Sunday: The Sacred Works of Duke Ellington alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He has graced the stages of SOUTH Jazz Club in Philadelphia and the Louis Armstrong House Museum, among many others.
In the world of faith, Bryant serves as Music Visionary (Minister of Music) at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, and as Music Leader at Park Avenue Christian Church. Prior to these roles, he served for seven years at The Abyssinian Baptist Church in The City of New York as Worship Leader and Minister of Music for Youth. Though a self-avowed "church boy," church is far from the only place C. Anthony can be heard.
Bryant's talents have also brought him to film and television. His credits include The Fighting Temptations (2003), Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer (2012), and BET's critically acclaimed feature documentary Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church (2015). Though, as Bryant will tell you, he won't turn down the big screen if it's offered.
Beyond the music, Bryant is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and civil rights broadly. A standard-bearer for social justice causes, his unwavering commitment to promoting equality and acceptance is reflected in both his art and his activism. His voice — in every sense of the word — is one that speaks truth, demands justice, and extends love.
As a vocal instructor and mentor, Bryant continues to shape the next generation of musicians, teaching private voice and serving as a coach and guide to countless vocalists. His philosophy is perhaps best captured in the simple declaration that anchors his public persona: "I love everybody."