Home » Jazz Musicians » Dean Brown

Dean Brown

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

Dean has released his fifth celebrated album after four acclaimed previous solo CD's worldwide. Brown's guitar work can be heard on well over 200 recordings which include numerous GRAMMY® nominations and four GRAMMY® Award winners.

Since starting to play professionally with his own group at the age of 13, Dean has toured all over the world with his projects and performed and recorded alongside legendary artists such as: Marcus Miller, The Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, David Sanborn, Bob James, George Duke, Roberta Flack, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, Victor Bailey, Joe Zawinul, Simon Phillips, Lenny White, Chris Minh Doky, Kirk Whalum, and Steve Smith's Vital Information, just to name a few. Over the years Brown has been interviewed in Guitar Player Magazine, Guitar World, Jazz Life, Gittare & Bass, Big Box, Muzikus, and Guitarist Magazine along with well known online publications.

His performances have also included television appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Arsenio Hall Show, After New Year's Eve With David Sanborn, The Rosie O'Donell Show, BET, Bravo, and many top television and radio shows throughout the world. He has performed at prestigious music festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Tokyo Jazz Festival, Mt. Fuji Jazz, Java Jazz, Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz a Vienne, Pori Jazz Festival, Juan le Pins, Malta Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival, and countless others since 1982. Wolf Trap, The Blue Note, Cotton Club, Universal Amphitheater, The Greek Theater, Ravinia, Ronnie Scotts, New Morning, Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Central Park Stage are just some of the world famous venues he has had the pleasure of playing.

As a writer, Brown has compositions and arrangements featured on albums for Les McCann, Dennis Chambers, Ricky Peterson, Steve Smith's Vital Information, and Billy Cobham, among others. His performances also include Live DVD's with Marcus Miller, Billy Cobham, Steve Smith, Louie Belson, Gil Evans, David Sanborn and Friends, and Bob James. ​ ​

As an educator and clinician Dean Brown has conducted masterclasses at universities, schools and venues around the world. He regularly teaches several popular classes of his own curriculum at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California since 2007. An intensive Dean Brown Masterclass educational series is available at www.mymusicmasterclass.com. Dean has had instructional articles in Guitar Player Magazine (US), Guitar World (US), Gittare and Bass (G), Bass Player, Jazz Life (Jp), Big Box (I), Muzikus (Cz), Guitarist (Fr), and 20th Century Guitar (US) magazines. He has also released an instructional/live video with publishing giant Hal Leonard titled "Modern Techniques for the Electric Guitarist"(2008).

Read more

Tags

1
Radio & Podcasts

Tribute To The Late Guitarist Dean Brown, Plus Sonar And Terje Rypdal

Read "Tribute To The Late Guitarist Dean Brown, Plus Sonar And Terje Rypdal" reviewed by Len Davis


We pay tribute to the late guitarist Dean Brown with music from DB 3, Here, Unfinished Business, and his work with saxophonist Bill Evans from Soul Insider. Music from Sonar with David Torn, from Norway Rymden and Terje Rypdal. Guitarist from Ohio Brandon Coleman with The Watchmaker. Playlist Dean Brown “The Battle's Over" from DB 3 (BHM) 00:00 Dean Brown “Take This" from DB 3 (BHM) 06:51 Dean Brown “Whole Tone Blues" from Unfinished Business (Moosicus) 13:44 Bill ...

20
SoCal Jazz

Dean Brown: Global Fusion on Acid

Read "Dean Brown: Global Fusion on Acid" reviewed by Jim Worsley


In memory of Dean Brown. This interview was first published at All About Jazz on April 23, 2021. From the outset, the equation was simple enough. Jazz + rock = fusion. However, whether it was Miles Davis, Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, or any of the pioneers of fusion, the music has always been far from simplistic. Musical depth has long been the trademark of a genre that has been through many incarnations and traversed a multitude of directions. ...

4
Radio & Podcasts

Tunnels with Percy Jones, Tom Coster, Chick Corea and Dean Brown

Read "Tunnels with Percy Jones, Tom Coster, Chick Corea and Dean Brown" reviewed by Len Davis


Progressive Rock from The Resonance Project, Russian guitarist Evgeny Pobozhly, and from Brazil drummer Cuca Teixeira. Old favourites from Tom Coster, Chick Corea Electric Band, CAB, and Dean Brown. Playlist The Resonance Project “Thunderclap" from Rush In (Self Produced) 00:00 Tunnels “Inseminator" from The Art Of Living Dangerously (Bucky Ball) 0:06:01 Evgeny Pobozhly “Subliminal" from Elements For Peace (Self Produced) 12:02 The Players “The Creeping Terror" from The Players (Passport Jazz) 18:08 Cuca Teixeira “Tunta" from Groove Reunion ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

CAB, Dean Brown, Sam Aliano, Steve Weingart and Derek Sherinian

Read "CAB, Dean Brown, Sam Aliano, Steve Weingart and Derek Sherinian" reviewed by Len Davis


Featuring saxophonist Bill Evans, Sam Aliano. Melbourne band Logic, Steve Weingart and Dean Brown. Playlist Bill Evans-sax"Whisky Talk" from Starfish and The Moon (Escapade) 00:00 Cab “Top Spin" from Cab 2 (Tone Centre) 07:26 Dean Brown"Take This" from Here (ESC) 14:54 Logic “Signs & Symbols" from Logic (Self Produced) 22:17 Sam Aliano “Blue Skies On Mars" from Emalgamation (Vorticity) 29:31 Derek Sherinian “La Pera Loca" from Inertia (IInside Out) 36:45 Steve Weingart “Back Seat Driver" from Life Times ...

15
Album Review

Gergo Borlai: The Missing Song

Read "The Missing Song" reviewed by Jim Worsley


The Missing Song has been heralded as a tribute to Gergo Borlai's nine most influential drummers still alive and performing today. This is much more than just listing them and perhaps covering one of their songs. Borlai composed eight of the nine new songs on this album. He plays them all in the manner, or mindset, of each drummer. The thought process, and level of preparation was meticulous for every drummer and every song. The drum kit, cymbals, sticks, pedals, ...

Read more articles
3

Education

Study With World Renowned Guitarist/Composer Dean Brown Via Skype

Study With World Renowned Guitarist/Composer Dean Brown Via Skype

Source: Dean Brown

​Dean Brown’s music defies boundaries to combine Rock, Latin, Jazz, Funk, and Fusion into a joyful, soulful, dynamic and intense groove. He is well known in the global jazz/fusion scene for his powerful virtuosic rhythm guitar work and his passionate melodic soloing. Those who have seen and heard Dean perform are immediately pulled in by the energy he puts into each and every note. ATTN: Limited openings available! Reserve your spot now! About Skype Lessons with Guitarist/Composer Dean Brown “My ...

3

Performance / Tour

Just Announced! The Dean Brown Band ROLAJAFUFU Fall Tour 2017

Just Announced! The Dean Brown Band ROLAJAFUFU Fall Tour 2017

Source: Dean Brown

TOUR DATES Nov 02: Bemowskie Centrum Kultury Warsaw, Poland Nov 03: Jazz w muzeum Festival Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland Nov 04: Vier Peh Stuttgart, Germany Nov 05: Ronnie Scott’s London, United Kingdom Nov 07: Master Class. University of Music Mannheim Mannheim, Germany Nov 08 New Morning Paris, France Nov 10: Jazz Club Rorschach Rorschach, Switzerland Nov 11: Jazz Club Pod Filarami Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland Nov ...

2

Recording

For Your Grammy Consideration - Dean Brown's "ROLAJAFUFU"

For Your Grammy Consideration - Dean Brown's "ROLAJAFUFU"

Source: Dean Brown

Contemporary Instrumental Album: ROLAJAFUFU Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “PHILLY MAN" Best Instrumental Arrangement: “AND SO IT GOES" Best Instrumental Composition: “OLD SOLDIERS" Guitarist and composer Dean Brown has always done things his way. Nowhere is that in greater evidence than on ROLAJAFUFU, his fifth album as a leader. The title is a playful acronym that encompasses rock-Latin-jazz-funk-fusion, the universes Brown explores on this diverse, kinetic recording. Brown’s fiercely independent streak is also exemplified by ...

4

Performance / Tour

Dean Brown Band To Tour Europe Fall 2016

Dean Brown Band To Tour Europe Fall 2016

Source: Dean Brown

Guitarist and composer Dean Brown has always done things his way. Nowhere is that in greater evidence than on ROLAJAFUFU, his fifth album as a leader. The title is a playful acronym that encompasses rock-Latin-jazz-funk- fusion, the universes Brown explores on this diverse, kinetic recording. Brown’s fiercely independent streak is also exemplified by the fact that this album was funded by his denizens of fans worldwide via PledgeMusic. It’s Brown’s first self-released album, after four celebrated previous discs on the ...

4

Recording

Jazz-Rock Renegade Dean Brown Unleashes Expansive, All-Star Roller Coaster "ROLAJAFUFU"

Jazz-Rock Renegade Dean Brown Unleashes Expansive, All-Star Roller Coaster "ROLAJAFUFU"

Source: Dean Brown

Guitarist and composer Dean Brown has always done things his way. Nowhere is that in greater evidence than on ROLAJAFUFU, his fifth album as a leader. The title is a playful acronym that encompasses rock-latin- jazz-funk-fusion, the universes Brown explores on this diverse, kinetic recording. Brown’s fiercely independent streak is also exemplified by the fact that this album was funded by his denizens of fans worldwide via PledgeMusic. It’s Brown’s first self-released album, after four celebrated previous discs on the ...

1

Recording

Dean Brown Addresses "Unfinished Business" On New Recording, All-Star Cast Featured On Guitarist’s Fourth CD As A Leader

Dean Brown Addresses "Unfinished Business" On New Recording,  All-Star Cast Featured On Guitarist’s Fourth CD As A Leader

Source: Dean Brown

On Unfinished Business, veteran guitarist Dean Brown, whose scintillating six-string work can be heard on over 200 recordings as a sideman, steps out with his fourth dynamic outing as a leader. Joining him on this eclectic offering, which ranges from hard-hitting funk to lovely ballads, soothing samba flavored grooves, Latin-tinged jams, greasy organ-fueled blues and cool jazz, are longstanding colleagues Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums and Gerry Etkins on keyboards. Their intuitive sense of simpatico blends nicely on this highly ...

85

Performance / Tour

Dean Brown Group: Fall 2011 European Tour

Dean Brown Group:  Fall 2011 European Tour

Source: Dean Brown

Those who have seen and heard Dean Brown perform are immediately struck by the passion and energy he puts into each note. His compositions are thoughtful and intense, yet lyrical vehicles for individual as well as group expression. The strength of Brown's virtuosic rhythm technique makes his music groove in a unique way. For close to 30 years Dean Brown has been an integral part of the global fusion and electric jazz scene, recording and/or touring around the world with ...

184

Technology

Guitarist Dean Brown and RunFly Studios Release Pickup Tunes!

Guitarist Dean Brown and RunFly Studios Release Pickup Tunes!

Source: Dean Brown

Changing Ear “Training" into Ear “Gaming," Pickup Tunes Puts a Musical Ear in Everyone's Reach. Just as a great chef can taste every nuance of a dish, a person with a musical ear can break a musical “sentence" down to its formative ideas. While there is little doubt that being able to listen well makes for better musicians, it is also true that a musical ear increases everyone's enjoyment of music. The question is: how do we get it? A ...

160

Education

Dean Brown releases ear-training app for Apple iPad/iPhone

Dean Brown releases ear-training app for Apple iPad/iPhone

Source: Dean Brown

Dean Brown has released an iPhone/iPad app called “Pickup Tunes." Dean says: “There are two versions available: Pickup Tunes Free (This is an introduction to the game that is basically the first few levels of the full game) and Pickup Tunes (the full version which has five stages and includes the “Final Challenge"). The idea was to base a game on the ear training techniques that I use in teaching. We developed it to look and feel more like a ...

265

Recording

Dean Brown with Dennis Chambers and Will Lee Release "DBIII: Live in Tokyo"

Dean Brown with Dennis Chambers and Will Lee Release "DBIII: Live in Tokyo"

Source: Michael Ricci

For his third outing as a leader, guitarist Dean Brown called on two longtime friends to complete a potent power trio. And in bassist Will Lee and drummer Dennnis Chambers, he wound up with the ultimate rhythm section. Together this dream team lays down some seriously funky grooves while interacting in the moment with jazzy abandon on DBIII: Live in Tokyo. Recorded in the heart of the Japanese metropolis at The Cotton Club, this vibrant live recording captures the earth-shaking ...

He delivers music with punch, energy and integrity." ~Guitar Nine Records~ "

Rockish, bluesy, jazzy, funky all rolled up into one." ~Jeff Charney - ContemporaryJazz.com~

About twenty years have gone by and Dean's still bringing it onstage - he's that into it and obviously, that commited to every measure of the music" ~Phil DiPietro - allaboutJazz.com

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Holz-Stathis:...

MVD Audio
2023

buy

The Missing Song

Blue Canoe Records
2020

buy

RoLaJaFuFu

Dean Brown Music
2016

buy

DBIII - Live At The...

Unknown label
2009

buy

Gary

From: The Missing Song
By Dean Brown

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.