Keith L. Brown (musician)
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Keith L. Brown | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Keith Brown |
Born | Memphis, TN | August 13, 1983
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 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 May 2021, Keith released his third album as a leader with Space Time Records under the name "Keith Brown Trio" called 'African Ripples[7].' '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".[8] 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."[9]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 | Diggers Factory |
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 | BassBae Music |
2023 | Brandon Sanders | Compton's Finest | Savant Records |
2023 | Endea Owens | Feel Good Music | BassBae Music |
References
- ^ "Keith Brown Piano - Bio". keithbrownpiano.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ "Keith Brown Piano - Bio". keithbrownpiano.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ Keith Brown - Sweet & Lovely, 2011, retrieved 2023-05-28
- ^ "KEITH BROWN - The Journey". JazzMusicArchives.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ Jazz, All About. "Jazz Album: The Journey by Keith L. Brown". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ Jazz, All About. "Keith Brown Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ "NEW RELEASE: Keith Brown Trio's AFRICAN RIPPLES out May 20, 2021 via Space Time Records". 13 April 2021.
- ^ "DownBeat Reviews". downbeat.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ londonjazz (2021-06-10). "Keith Brown Trio – 'African Ripples'". London Jazz News. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
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)
- Pending AfC submissions
- Pending AfC submissions in article space
- AfC submissions by date/15 December 2023
- 1983 births
- Living people
- Jazz pianists
- American jazz pianists
- American male jazz musicians
- American male jazz composers
- Jazz musicians from Tennessee
- African-American jazz musicians
- African-American jazz pianists
- African-American jazz composers
- 21st-century American male musicians
- 20th-century African-American people
- American jazz songwriters
- American soul keyboardists
- Jazz-funk keyboardists
- Jazz-funk pianists
- Soul-jazz musicians
- Musicians from Tennessee