Norman Brown (guitarist)

Norman Brown
Born (1970-12-18) December 18, 1970
[Shreveport, Louisiana [later moved to Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.
Genres Smooth jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, singer
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1992–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website www.normanbrown.com

Norman Brown (born December 18, 1970 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American smooth jazz guitarist and singer.

Career

Brown was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1970. When he was eight years old, he was attracted to his brother's acoustic guitar. He was inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the Isley Brothers. Then when he heard Wes Montgomery, he began to play jazz. He attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, then signed with Mo Jazz, a division of Motown.[1]

In 1992 he released his debut album, Just Between Us. Collaborators included Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder and Kenneth H. Williams. A portion of the album was produced by Norman Connors, a jazz drummer and producer who discovered Brown. In 1994 Brown released the album After the Storm, which gained critical success. He followed this album with the 1996 release Better Days Ahead, which earned him a broader audience. Brown transferred to Warner Bros. Records. In 1999, he released Celebration, which was produced by Paul Brown.

In 2002, he formed BWB with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and trumpeter Rick Braun, and they released Groovin'. In 2003, he and his producer Paul Brown won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Just Chillin'.

During the summer of 2007, Brown had a No. 1 smooth jazz radio hit, "Let's Take a Ride", from the album Stay With Me, according to Radio and Records magazine. In 2008, the Verve Music Group re-released Just Between Us as part of its "Verve Originals" series. Brown's music can be heard during The Weather Channel's Local on the 8s segments. His song "Lydian" is included in their 2008 compilation release, The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II.

Discography

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US

[2]

 US R&B[3] US Jazz[4]
Just Between Us — 51 —
After the Storm
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Mo Jazz
 140 21 2
Better Days Ahead
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Mo Jazz
 162 31 2
Celebration — 50 4
Just Chillin'
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Warner Bros.
 198 50 3
West Coast Coolin'
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: Warner Bros.
 160 24 5
Stay with Me
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Peak
 107 11 1
Sending My Love
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Peak
 — — 3
24/7

(with Gerald Albright)

 — — 1
Let It Go — — 1
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

as BWB (Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown)

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US

[2]

 US Jazz

[4]

 US Heat

[5]

Groovin' —6 9
Human Nature: The Songs of Michael Jackson 184 4 5
BWB —4 13
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Norman Brown". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Norman Brown Chart History". Billboard 200. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Norman Brown Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Norman Brown Chart History". Jazz Albums. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Norman Brown Chart History". Heatseekers Albums. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
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