Bryant was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, becoming a fixture of the local jazz scene.
In 1953, his live recording "All Nite Long" (a faster version of "Night Train") became a hit R&B single in the U.S.[1] Bryant's contract with Dot ended in 1957, and he returned to Columbus to do mostly local engagements, playing often with pianist-organist Hank Marr.
It wasn't until his appearance on the 1968 Groove Holmes album That Healin' Feelin' that he resurfaced beyond regional acclaim, and soon after he began leading dates for Prestige Records.
He recorded extensively for the label from 1969 through the middle of the 1970s, being a sideman with Ivan "Boogaloo Joe" Jones, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Charles Kynard, and Sonny Phillips; his 1970 release Soul Liberation was his most commercially successful, reaching No.
With Richard "Groove" Holmes With Boogaloo Joe Jones With Charles Kynard With Hank Marr With Jimmy McGriff With Sonny Phillips With Johnny "Hammond" Smith