Keith L. Brown (musician)

Keith L. Brown
Keith Brown in the studio recording 'African Ripples' at Samurai Recording Studio, NYC -2020
Background information
Also known as	Keith Brown
Born	(1983-08-13) August 13, 1983 Memphis, TN
Genres	Jazz (Modern & Traditional), R&B, and Funk
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Piano
Years active	2005-Present
Labels	Space Time Records
Website	www.Keithbrownpiano.com

Keith L. Brown (born August 13, 1983) is an American jazz pianist, educator, and composer known for his strong sense of rhythmic comping, harmonic melodies, and inventive compositions. He is the regular pianist for Grammy nominated saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and has released three albums on Space Time Records.

Early life & Education

Brown was born in Memphis Tennessee and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee where he developed a deep passion for music from a young age. Growing up in a household immersed in music, Keith was exposed to a rich musical heritage from a young age. Both of his parents, Donald and Dorothy Brown, were talented musicians, and many of his extended family members possessed exceptional musical abilities, fostering a deep appreciation for music within the household.

Keith’s father, Donald Brown, is a renowned jazz pianist, composer, and educator, and producer who has influenced many musicians. Donald gained prominence as a member of the influential jazz ensemble Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and collaborated with numerous music legends throughout his life.

At a young age, Keith demonstrated a natural inclination towards music. He started playing the piano and bass, honing his skills and exploring his musical potential. Drawing inspiration from R&B icons like Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, Keith initially taught himself to play their songs by ear. Recognizing his son's passion and talent, Donald Brown became a pivotal figure in Keith's musical development. He guided Keith by introducing him to his original compositions and jazz standards, providing him with the tools to embark on a remarkable musical journey.

In addition to his growing interest in jazz, Keith and his brothers, Kenneth Brown (drums) and Donald Jr. (producer), immersed themselves in the vibrant world of hip-hop during their formative years. However, it was after graduating from high school that Keith's focus shifted towards jazz as he began to study the genre more earnestly. During this period, he found inspiration in the works of esteemed Memphis pianists such as Phineas Newborn Jr., James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller, whose artistry profoundly influenced his own musical style and direction.

Keith earned his Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music in Jazz from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he studied with his father Donald Brown and saxophonist Greg Tardy.

Musical career

In 2011, Keith released his debut album called ‘Sweet and Lovely’ on Space Time Records which featured Stéphane Belmondo , Baptiste Herbin , Essiet Okon Essiet and Marcus Gilmore. In 2015, Keith Brown’s ‘The Journey’ was released on Space Time Records and received rave reviews and began his musical journey with drummer Terreon Gully serving as producer.

In the fall of 2017, Keith moved to New York City where he became one of the most in-demand pianists on the contemporary jazz scene. There he began touring and performing with artists such as Jazzmeia Horn, Charles Tolliver, Camille Thurman & the Darrell Green Quartet, Stefon Harris, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Dezron Douglas, Sherman Irby, Bill Saxton, Steve Turre, Endea Owens, Melanie Charles, Russell Gunn, Joe Farnsworth, John Clayton, George Coleman, and most recently Kenny Garrett.

In 2021, Keith released his third album as a leader with Space Time Records under the name "Keith Brown Trio" called 'African Ripples.' 'African Ripples' mined Keith's "personal history with Black music and his own life journey to send ripples of positivity that light our way to redemption". Brown says 'African Ripples' was "composed and collected to convey his personal experiences through black music and how it has rippled out in so many different directions." The album received 4 stars from DownBeat Magazine and received rave reviews. The Keith Brown Trio featured bassist Dezron Douglas, and alternated between Terreon Gully and Darrell Green on drums. The album included special guests, Cyrus Aaron, Russell Gunn, Camille Thurman, Melanie Charles, Keith's wife Tamara Brown, and Nêgah Santos

Discography

As leader/co-leader

• Sweet & Lovely (Space Time Records, 2011)
• The Journey (Space Time Records, 2015)
• African Ripples (Space Time Records, 2021)

Soundtracks

• Canal Street (Space Time Records, 2020) Featured F.R.C. from Keith Brown's album "The Journey"

As Sideman

Year released	Leader	Title	Label
2013	Gregory Tardy	Standards and More	SteepleChase
2015	Vance Thompson's Five Plus Six	Such Sweet Thunder
2017	Kenneth Brown	3 Down	Space Time Records
2019	Steve Slagle	Spirit Calls	Jaxsta
2019	Kenneth Brown	2nd Chances	Space Time Records
2019	Darryl Hall	Swingin' Back	Space Time Records
2019	T.K. Blue	The Rhythms Continue	JAJA Records
2020	Charles Tolliver	Connect	Gearbox Records
2020	Gregory Tardy	If Time Could Stand Still	WJ3 Records
2020	Jazzmeia Horn	Where We Are
2021	Kenneth Brown	Love People	Space Time Records
2021	Melanie Charles	Ya'll Don't (Really) Care About Black Women	Verve Records
2021	Janinah Burnett	Love the Color of Your Butterfly	Clazz Records
2021	Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force	Dear Love	Empress Legacy Records
2022	Aaron Bazzell	Aesthetic
2022	Gregory Tardy	Sufficient Grace	WJ3 Records
2022	Endea Owens	Where the Nubian's Grow

External links

• Official website
• Keith Brown Trio: Live at Lucille's (PBS)
• Tiny Desk Concert with Kenny Garrett (Keith Brown on piano)
• Padova Jazz Festival (2022) w Kenny Garrett (Keith Brown on piano)
• Live from Jazz St. Louis (2022) w Stefon Harris & Blackout (Keith Brown on piano)
• SF Jazz w Jazzmeia Horn 'When I Say' (Keith Brown on Piano)
• Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center w Jazzmeia Horn (Keith Brown on piano)
• Live at Dizzy's Club w Endea Owens & The Cookout (Keith Brown on piano)