The oldest of five kids, Grayson Brockamp was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. He first studied piano but then switched to the double bass in his middle school orchestra. Brockamp attended North Carolina School of the Arts throughout high-school where he developed a strong foundation in classical and jazz music.

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After obtaining his Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he relocated to New York City in 2010 where he completed his Master's Degree in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. His final presentation featured saxophonists Seamus Blake and Stephen Riley in a multimedia performance. Brockamp wrote, directed, filmed, and edited the silent film "Blood Canon" which was presented with an original score by a live band. While in New York he appeared as a sideman at notable venues such as Birdland, Dizzy's Club at JALC, and the Blue Note.

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After a year of supporting himself by bartending and waiting tables, he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He quickly found steady work playing alongside legendary musicians including Nicholas Payton, Jason Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, Wessel Anderson, and Adonis Rose. He played with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra from 2015-2017 and regularly contributed arrangements for the 18 piece band. In April of 2016 he shared the stage with Stevie Wonder for an impromptu 2 hour performance. 

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In November of 2016, Grayson married his wife Betina. He took his wife’s last name, Brockamp, and no longer goes by his birth name, Gray Hackelman. During his engagement party, his brother-in-law, Bailey Hinton, performed several songs in dedication of the marriage. Grayson was very moved by the performance and soon after formed the band entitled the New Orleans Wildlife Band to feature Bailey. 

 

The group released their debut EP in September of 2017 under Paytone Records. On  December 12th, 2018 they independently released their debut full-length album, "A Dream Or A Nightmare." After signing a record deal with Ropeadope Records, the album was re-released on April 3, 2020. Brockamp continues to freelance as a bassist, composer, arranger, and educator. He regularly performs with Shannon Powell, Trumpet Mafia, and many others in the New Orleans area.