Norman Brown (guitarist)

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

For other people with the same name, see Norman Brown.
Norman Brown
Born (1970-12-18) December 18, 1970
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresSmooth jazz, jazz-rock, fusion
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1992–present
Labels
Websitewww.normanbrown.com

Career

Brown was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1970 and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. 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. When he heard Wes Montgomery, he began to play jazz.[1] He attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.[1] After graduating in 1984, he joined the staff and was an instructor until 1998. In 1991 he signed with Mo Jazz, a division of Motown.[2]

In 1992 he released his debut album, Just Between Us. Collaborators included Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, and Kenneth H. Williams. 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 and was awarded jazz album of the year by Soul Train Music Awards. It also won a Gavin Radio Award by remaining on the charts for over two years. He followed this album with the 1996 release Better Days Ahead, which earned him a broader audience and the American Jazz Award. In 1999, he returned from a three year hiatus and signed with Warner Bros., releasing Celebration, which was produced by Norman Brown, Paul Brown, and Herman Jackson.

In 2002, he formed BWB with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and trumpeter Rick Braun, and they released the album Groovin' . 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 album, The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II. In 2011, Brown collaborated with Gerald Albright to record 24/7 which had a number one single, "In the Moment", and earned him a Grammy Award nomination.

Discography
Year Title Peak chart positions Label
US

[3]

 US R&B[4] US Jazz[5] US Con. Jazz[6]
1992 Just Between Us — 51 — 4 Mo Jazz
1994 After the Storm 140 21 2 2 Mo Jazz
1996 Better Days Ahead 162 31 2 2 Mo Jazz
1999 Celebration — 50 4 3 Warner Bros.
2002 Just Chillin' 198 50 3 2 Warner Bros.
2004 West Coast Coolin' 160 24 5 3 Warner Bros.
2007 Stay with Me 107 11 1 1 Peak
2010 Sending My Love — — 3 2 Peak
2012 24/7

(with Gerald Albright)

 — — 1 1 Concord
2017 Let It Go — — 1 1 Shanachie
2019 Highest Act of Love — — 4 1 Shanachie
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

as BWB

Year Title Peak chart positions Label
US[3] US Jazz[5] US Con. Jazz[6] US Heat[7]
2002 Groovin' 6 9 4 — Warner Bros.
2013 Human Nature: The Songs of Michael Jackson 184 4 2 5 Heads Up
2016 BWB 4 13 1 — Mack Avenue
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

See also
  • BWB
  • List of smooth jazz performers

References
  1. Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries. p. 323. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
  2. Birchmeier, Jason. "Norman Brown". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  3. "Norman Brown Chart History". Billboard 200. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  4. "Norman Brown Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  5. "Norman Brown Chart History". Jazz Albums. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  6. "Norman Brown (Top Contemporary Jazz Albums)". billboard.com.
  7. "Norman Brown (Heatseekers)". billboard.com.
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