Home » Jazz Musicians » Keith Brown

Keith Brown

Keith L. Brown is an accomplished composer, educator, and pianist, who has established himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in contemporary jazz. He was born in Memphis, TN, and raised in Knoxville, TN, where he began playing piano and bass at a young age. Keith grew up in a musically inclined family, where both his parents were musicians, and many of his aunts and uncles possessed exceptional musical talent. His father, Donald Brown, is a world-renowned jazz pianist/composer, having performed with many greats, and his mother, Dorothy, is also a pianist who plays various woodwind instruments.

Keith's musical journey began by learning to play the songs of R&B artists like Stevie Wonder by ear. He then started taking classical piano lessons at the age of eight. His father played a pivotal role in nurturing Keith's musical ambitions by teaching him how to play his original compositions and jazz standards. Keith and his brothers, Kenneth and Donald Jr., were deeply into hip-hop music during their formative years. However, Keith began to study jazz seriously after graduating from high school. It was during this time that he was significantly influenced by other great Memphis pianists such as Phineas Newborn Jr., James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller.

Since he began seriously playing at the age of 18, Brown has performed and recorded with a who’s-who of jazz luminaries. He currently tours as the pianist for Kenny Garrett. His tours and performances with artist such as Stefon Harris, Russell Gunn, Jazzmeia Horn, George Coleman, Greg Tardy, Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Trio, Terreon Gully, Willie Jones III, Endea Owens, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Steve Turre, John Clayton, and more have captivated audiences worldwide. Drawing on his roots in R&B, Funk, Classical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, Brown's unique composition and piano style seamlessly integrates these influences. He possesses an exceptional understanding of the language of jazz piano masters and can effortlessly transition between hard swing, funk, and free styles, while also showcasing his own distinct voice. With his innovative approach to jazz piano and his ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles, Keith L. Brown is a true standout in the world of contemporary jazz.

Gear

Steinway & Sons Piano

Nord Keyboards

Melanie Charles: Y'all Don't (Really) Care About Black Women

Read "Y'all Don't (Really) Care About Black Women" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
November 22, 2021

Questo primo album della cantante Melanie Charles per l'etichetta Verve apre alla cantante di Brooklyn un pubblico più ampio della nicchia dove ha operato finora: quell'universo dove s'incontrano nu—jazz, neo—soul, spiritual jazz e sperimentazioni elettroniche con campionamenti e remixaggi. Attiva da un decennio in quest'area la Charles non è solo una splendida vocalist ma una talentuosa strumentista (flauto, tastiere), arrangiatrice e songwriter. Quest'album è un appassionante tributo alle donne afroamericane attraverso nuove interpretazioni di classici legati a ...

Album Review

Keith Brown Trio: African Ripples

Read "African Ripples" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
August 10, 2021

In-demand pianist Keith Brown has ample experience as a sideman and a couple solid leader dates under his belt. But his African Ripples has the distinctive feel of a “statement" record, setting forth the full expanse of his creative vision with bold flair. Inspired by the classic Fats Waller piece first recorded in 1934, the album references Waller throughout as a touchstone, but not in supine imitation; it's rather an opportunity to open up the breadth of the jazz tradition, ...

Album Review

Charles Tolliver: Connect

by Chris May
July 17, 2020

Put out more flags. Connect, the first release from trumpeter Charles Tolliver in over a decade, is a monster. From the Saturday-night goodtime opener “Blue Soul" through to the intense, Spanish tinged, serpentine closer “Suspicion," the album finds Tolliver still at the top of his game in a recording career which began in the mid 1960s. He fronts a US quintet which brings with it the grit and groove of a mid-1960s Blue Note hard-bop band while sounding totally 2020. ...

"I am sure that he is one that will make a tremendous contribution to the continuum of jazz and particularly jazz piano". — Mulgrew Miller

"On his third album as a leader, Brown mines his personal history with Black music and his own life journey to send ripples of positivity that light our way to redemption."

—Cree McCree

4 Stars! Downbeat Magazine

Keith Brown is a phenomenal player! He has a great grasp on the language of the jazz piano masters and an ability to come from many directions; from hard swing to funk to free". —Greg Tardy

"I am sure that he is one that will make a tremendous contribution to the continuum of jazz and particularly jazz piano". — Mulgrew Miller

"On his third album as a leader, Brown mines his personal history with Black music and his own life journey to send ripples of positivity that light our way to redemption."

—Cree McCree

4 Stars! Downbeat Magazine

Keith Brown is a phenomenal player! He has a great grasp on the language of the jazz piano masters and an ability to come from many directions; from hard swing to funk to free". —Greg Tardy

"There’s an energy flow throughout the album enhanced by the excellent sequencing, Brown’s demanding compositions and arrangements contrast with passages of beauty and deep soul. The level of musicianship and interplay between the core trio is positively terrifying at times."

-Adam Sieff (London Jazz News)

"Brown’s arrangements and compositions surprises me in lovely ways, like opening presents on Christmas morning; you never know what you’ll get, but it’s always sweet. I will be listening to this album time and time again."

-Dee Dee McNeil

"At a time when Randy Weston, McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea have successively disappeared, this new ivory prodigy comes at the right time to take up the torch with enthusiasm, respect and determination.....as dazzling and refreshing as a new dawn, an event record!" -Patrick Dallongeville (Paris-Move)

“I had the great fortune of having Keith play my music on a concert in Knoxville, and he just shook me with his deep artistry. I was blown away. That he would also turn out to be an absolutely wonderful composer is a double bonus! I am so excited about this very special musician, and I can’t wait to watch the word get out." -Maria Schneider

"The overall piano style has elements of many different artist... His phrasing like Chick Corea... and spiced with something like (Kenny) Kirkland is impressive." 4 Stars -Toyoshi Narita (Jazz and Drummer)

"Over my career as a teacher, I've been blessed and fortunate to have taught many great pianists such as Cyrus Chestnut, Danilo Perez, Matt Fries, and many others. As a teacher and father I am so proud to add my son Keith to the list. He is a pianist of many talents as well as a good bassist. I am sure he will become one of the important pianist and composers of the next generation".
-Donald Brown

Show less