"There are only two rules in music, it must be beautiful and it must feel good!” 
~ Dean Brown

 

Dean Brown’s music defies boundaries combining Rock, Jazz, Funk, Latin and Fusion into a joyful, soulful, dynamic and intense groove. He is known in the global jazz/fusion scene for his virtuosic rhythm guitar work and his passionate melodic soloing. Those who have seen and heard him perform are immediately pulled in by the energy he puts into each and every note.

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Dean Brown’s guitar work can be heard on hundreds of recordings, including numerous GRAMMY® nominations and four GRAMMY® Award winners. For over 40 years Brown has toured, performed, and recorded with legendary artists such as Marcus Miller, The Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, Bob James, George Duke, Bill Evans, Victor Bailey, Joe Zawinul, and Vital Information, among others. Brown has released five solo CD's and  tours internationally with his own formidable bands.

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A true veteran of the touring circuit, Brown has performed at prestigious international music festivals around the US, Europe, Asia, Canada, South America, and Africa, including  Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz, Nice, Tokyo, Beijing, Montreal, Berks, Senegal, Canary Islands, Java, Malta, Warsaw, and Pori Jazz Festivals. 

 

He is currently working on recording a new album of originals, touring, teaching, and bringing music to venues and festivals near you. 

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Solo Recordings:

 

 

• Brown’s debut solo album “HERE” (2001) ESC Records-  features many of the jazz greats he worked with over the years, including Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, George Duke, Billy Cobham, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Christian McBride, Don Alias, Bill Evans, Bernard Wright and many others.

• "GROOVE WARRIOR” (2004) ESC Records-  featuring an all-star lineup with Lalah Hathaway, Marcus Miller, Bernard Wright, JuJu House, Poogie Bell, Schuyler Deale, Booker King, and Patches Stewart.

• "DBIII-LIVE AT THE COTTON CLUB TOKYO” (2009) features an all-star power trio with musical greats Dennis Chambers and Will Lee recorded live at the world famous music venue in Tokyo, Japan.

• "UNFINISHED BUSINESS” (2012) is another all-star cast of musicians with Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Kirk Whalum, Dennis Chambers, Jimmy Earl, Gerry Etkins, Joey DeLeon, and Hadrien Feraud among others. 

• “ROLAJAFUFU" (2016) (i.e., ROck/LAtin/JAzz/FUnk/FUsion) features renowned musicians, Dennis Chambers, George Whitty, Bernard Maseli, Linley Marthe, Hadrien Feraud, Richie Flores, Brandon Fields, Daniel Sadownick, Marvin“Smitty”Smith, and Bobby Sparks.   

 

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Career notes:

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• He has performed with lead artists on TV shows such as  ‘After New Year's Eve With David Sanborn’, ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’, ‘Fourth Of July with The Boston Pops Orchestra’, ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’, ‘BET’, ‘Bravo’, and many top television and radio shows overseas as well. 

• His performances include Live DVD's with Marcus Miller, Billy Cobham, Steve Smith, Louie Belson Big Band, Gil Evans Big Band, David Sanborn and Friends (D’Angelo & Eric Clapton), and Bob James.

• Brown has compositions and arrangements featured on albums for Les McCann, Dennis Chambers, Ricky Peterson, Vital Information, Chris Minh Dokey, and Billy Cobham, among others. 

• As an educator and clinician, he has conducted masterclasses at universities, music schools and venues around the world.  He teaches several popular classes of his own curriculum at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. 

• An expansive DB Masterclass educational series is available at www.mymusicmasterclass.com 

• Brown has interviews and instructional articles in many international publications, including Guitar Player (US), Guitar World (US), Gittare and Bass (Germany), Jazz Life (Japan), Big Box (Italy), Muzikus (Czech), and Guitarist (France) magazines, among others.

• He released an instructional/live video with publishing giant Hal Leonard titled "Modern Techniques for the Electric Guitarist"(2008)

• Brown is a proud endorser of Xotic Guitars, DV Mark Amplifiers, TC Elecronic effects, Xotic Effects, BJ Press Effects, Moody Guitar Straps and G7th Capos.

 

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Additional notes:

 

 

Dean Brown started playing professionally at the age of 13 and began leading his own groups at 15 years old.  He attended George Washington University for a year before continuing his music education at Berklee College of Music and graduating with a Bachelor Of Music in composition while privately studying improvisation with the iconic Charles Banacos. Dean married Ruth Brown in 1983 and they lived in California until his passing in 2024.

 

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Quotes:

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“Righteous rhythm work and absolutely burning solos...jazz that really rocks”

        ~Guitar Player Magazine

 

 

“I found guitarist Dean Brown to play behind me. He’s a genius.”

      ~Roberta Flack - JazzWax.com

 

 

“About twenty years have gone by and Dean's still bringing it onstage - he's that into it and obviously, that committed to every measure of the music...”

      ~AllAboutJazz.com

 

 

“Rockish, bluesy, jazzy, funky all rolled up into one...”

      ~ContemporaryJazz.com

 

 

“He delivers music with punch, energy, and integrity...”

      ~Guitar Nine Records

 

 

"A thrilling album!"

       ~Good Times