Articles by Keith Henry Brown
Phil & Me
by Keith Henry Brown
When I first came to work at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2001, I was deeply intimidated. I was hired by Wynton Marsalis himself, and I honestly wasn't sure how I'd do, working with such incredibly smart and talented people. Over time, I settled into a groove and made friends and allies. First among them was esteemed jazz historian Phil Schaap. Phil always had a smile and a “hi" for me as we passed by in the halls ...
Continue ReadingJazz Portraits Part 2
by Keith Henry Brown
Part 1 | Part 2 I got my start drawing superheroes, but music has always been my true inspiration. I've worked as a designer and illustrator for several advertising agencies and music labels & as an art director as well for high profile music-related projects, including creating posters for Jazz Appreciation Month, The Newport Jazz Festival, The Jacksonville Jazz Festival and creating jazz album covers for artists such as Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks, and Wynton Marsalis. My first ...
Continue ReadingJazz Portraits, Part 1
by Keith Henry Brown
Part 1 | Part 2 I got my start drawing superheroes, but music has always been my true inspiration. I've worked as a designer and illustrator for several advertising agencies and music labels & as an art director as well for high profile music-related projects, including creating posters for Jazz Appreciation Month, The Newport Jazz Festival, The Jacksonville Jazz Festival and creating jazz album covers for artists such as Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks, and Wynton Marsalis. My first ...
Continue ReadingTheo Croker: It's Just Black Music
by Keith Henry Brown
In a field teeming with talented young lions, the bright sound of trumpeter Theo Croker still sticks out. Grandson of the legendary jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham, the native Floridian graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and is part of a new movement of emerging jazz artists who expertly incorporate hip hop, electronic and R&B elements in their sound in an organic, fluid way. Croker's music both harks back and looks forward at the same time, a balancing act that ...
Continue ReadingMaking Miles For Kids
by Keith Henry Brown
Miles Davis has been many things, but had not yet been the star of his own children's book. That is what I realized after being contacted by Kristen Nobles, the smart, resourceful editor of the newly formed children's' picture book imprint, Page Street Kids. I had just barely decided to give it a go in the field of children's illustration and obtained an agent when I received a lively email: “Dear Keith, I hope this email finds you ...
Continue ReadingCarl Bartlett, Jr. at Jazz At Kitano
by Keith Henry Brown
Carl Bartlett, Jr. Jazz At Kitano New York, NY December 14, 2017 Sad to say, in jazz and certainly all music, often hidden from public view are good musicians, who, for any reason have not yet been given their due. Some exist slightly outside the frame but produce substantial art. The saxophonist Carl Bartlett Jr. comes from this distinguished group. Blessed with a warm, engaging tone and a writer of melodious, inviting ...
Continue ReadingToshiko Akiyoshi Trio at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
by Keith Henry Brown
Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Lessons from Our Masters New York, NY September 3, 2017 At 87, the brilliant pianist/bandleader/composer Toshiko Akiyoshi knows by now what works for her and what doesn't. As she ambled onto the stage at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center on a warm Sunday evening as part of the club's Lessons From Our Masters series the still vibrant musician joked with the crowd about her advanced age ...
Continue ReadingDrawing Jazz
by Keith Henry Brown
A twist on the old cliché, “Those who can't play--draw,"--that's my personal point of view. I've been a jazz nut since as long as I can remember, and as soon as I could push a pencil--even though I could barely bang out a simple tune on a piano--I was sketching some of my favorite players, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington. In 2000, after beginning a career as a graphic designer, I was awarded the position of design ...
Continue ReadingOrrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola
by Keith Henry Brown
Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band Dizzy's Club Coca Cola New York, NY October 6, 2013 Though the band leader/pianist /composer Sun Ra spoke of being part of an “Angel Race" from Saturn, his music, as avant-garde as it could sometimes be, was for the large part, accessible. One of his lifetime heroes was Duke Ellington, not just for his ability to lead a brilliant orchestra, but also for the ...
Continue ReadingAaron Heick: From Sting to Spiderman
by Keith Henry Brown
Outside of the New York music scene, multi-instrumentalist Aaron Heick's name may not be as well known as some of his colleagues. But it doesn't matter; he's had a rich, varied career. This well-traveled, seasoned pro has played with some of the most prominent musicians in jazz, pop, reggae, funk, world, and classical music. Those who really know what's going on in music know him.In 2010, Heick released the well-received, wonderfully melodic Daylight & Darkness (Self Produced), a ...
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