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Keith L. Brown (musician)

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Keith L. Brown
Keith Brown in the studio recording 'African Ripples' at Samurai Recording Studio, NYC -2020
Background information
Also known asKeith Brown
Born (1983-08-13) August 13, 1983 (age 41)
Memphis, TN
GenresJazz (Modern & Traditional), R&B, and Funk
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano
Years active2005-Present
LabelsSpace Time Records
Websitewww.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 and 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.[1]

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.[2]

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.[3]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.[4][5]

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.[6]

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".[7] 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."[8]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

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

References

  1. ^ "Keith Brown Piano - Bio". keithbrownpiano.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  2. ^ "Keith Brown Piano - Bio". keithbrownpiano.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  3. ^ Keith Brown - Sweet & Lovely, 2011, retrieved 2023-05-28
  4. ^ "KEITH BROWN - The Journey". JazzMusicArchives.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  5. ^ Jazz, All About. "Jazz Album: The Journey by Keith L. Brown". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  6. ^ Jazz, All About. "Keith Brown Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  7. ^ "DownBeat Reviews". downbeat.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  8. ^ londonjazz (2021-06-10). "Keith Brown Trio – 'African Ripples'". London Jazz News. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
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