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Otis Brown III
Hackensack, N.J. native, drummer and composer Otis Brown III was destined for success in his field. Born not far from Rudy Van Gelder's legendary recording studio, Otis' mother was working as a vocal music teacher/choir director and his father a percussionist at the time of his birth. Hearing music from conception in this fertile, music rich, environment would prove to be invaluable for his future.
Since his birth in NJ, Otis has traveled a path that has led to him being one of the most in demand, and well respected musicians in the world of music today. Expressing an early interest in music, Otis began his musical studies at the fertile age of 7. By age 12 he was playing lead alto saxophone in the school bands while playing the drums in the Baptist church.
After moving to Newark, N.J., home of legendary musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Sarah Vaughn, Larry Young and many others, he continued performing double duty in his school bands playing snare drum in marching band, and alto saxophone in the jazz and concert ensembles all of which were directed by his father Otis Brown Jr.
Otis decided to pursue his musical education in college at Delaware State University. It was there where he truly began to develop as a musician. It was also there where he would meet legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, an encounter that would change his life. He spent countless hours under the wings of Dr. Byrd grasping all that he could. Realizing the potential of the young musician, Donald Byrd suggested that Otis continue his studies in New York, the jazz center of the world. After completing his studies in Delaware he did just that. He was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious New School University.
While at the New School he had the opportunity to study with musicians such as Larry Goldings, Sam Yahel, John Riley, Carl Allen, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Lenny White, TS Monk Jr., Buster Williams, Reggie Workman, Lewis Nash and many others.
The New School proved to be the launching pad that his career took off from. Not long after enrolling there his classmates began to take notice and started hiring him. Many of those classmates, along with Otis himself, are some of the top musicians in the world today. Musicians like recent Blue Note recording artist Robert Glasper, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, Interscope recording artist Bilal, recording artist Tiombe Lockhart, London's Grand Central vocalist Niko, and saxophonist John Ellis.
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read morePrimary Instrument
Drums
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced