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Derek Brown

From his 30+ million views across social media to his appearance on international television and NPR’s Weekend Edition, Billboard-charting saxophonist/innovator Derek Brown and his one-of-a-kind solo “BEATBoX SAX” project has been exploding across the world music scene.

As described by jazz journalist/historian Scott Yanow, "Brown performs unaccompanied solos that occasionally make one recall Bobby McFerrin in his early prime and the great saxophonist Eddie Harris . . . utilizing slap-tonguing, circular breathing, a wide interest in musical styles and dazzling coordination to create rather unique music."

Derek has performed solo concerts in all 50 United States and over 25 countries around the world (over 200 total international shows)! Known for his boundless energy on stage, creative audience interaction, and musical depth, Derek’s live shows always surprise and delight. His ongoing “BEATBoX SAX” music videos and tutorials on YouTube have been enormously popular among saxophonists and music lovers alike (over 150,000 Youtube subscriptions), leading to endorsements with Legere, JodyJazz, P.Mauriat, BG France, and Austrian Audio.

Previously the director of jazz studies at Abilene Christian University for six years, Derek received his BM in Music Performance (Classical and Jazz) from Hope College in 2006 and his MM in Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in 2008.

Crossing genres from jazz to classical to funk, without looping or electronic effects, saxophone innovator Derek Brown’s unique playing style must be seen in person to be believed!


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13
Play This!

Derek Brown: Whatever the Case May Be

Read "Derek Brown: Whatever the Case May Be" reviewed by Geno Thackara


From his social-media-famous trick of analogue beatboxing to here, literally, beating on a box, Derek Brown never runs short on tricks. Just as importantly, those fun little ideas aren't gimmicks but building blocks to be used in ways both clever and musical. Whatever the context, the sonic coloring is just the topping while there's always a melody to happily hook the ear. ...

9
Album Review

Derek Brown: All Figured Out

Read "All Figured Out" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Tenor player Derek Brown has made a name for himself with a concept called “BEATBoX SAX," a method of playing saxophone in a continuous stream of pops, honks, melody and slap-tonguing that comes out like a hip-hop variation on Boots Randolph's old novelty tune. “Yakety Sax." He has put several videos on YouTube of him doing this solo, but on this recording, he shows he is far more than a novelty act. He uses his technique in large ensemble compositions ...

5
Album Review

Jeff Coffin / Derek Brown: Symbiosis

Read "Symbiosis" reviewed by Robin B James


Rhyming dragons and synergetic saxophilia, in seven tracks. Two monsters of the single reed doing the sway. Oh, wait, what about the rhythm section? They brought their own! This duo has the intuitive chemistry that comes only from epochs of experience playing together. Jeff Coffin on tenor saxophone, bass flute, bass clarinet, and clarinet; one finishes the other's groove. Derek Brown on the tenor saxophone, baritone baritone, saxophone percussion (that's the slap-beat thing he is famous for), and of course ...

5
Album Review

Derek Brown and The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra: All Figured Out

Read "All Figured Out" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Whatever you imagine when you think of big bands, it's nothing quite like this. While Derek Brown can ably channel the snappy spirit of golden-age jazz--and certainly does here, with happy hard-swinging results--his spirit in composing and bandleading could not be more thoroughly modern. The same can be said of his approach to his instrument, as shown by the breathy percussive “beatbox sax" which has become a social-media-famous trademark. Brown's catchy hooks and grooves here sound like those of an ...

4
Album Review

Derek Brown: All Figured Out

Read "All Figured Out" reviewed by Robin B James


The recommended first exposure to this guy originally from Alma, Michigan, saxophonist Derek Brown, is through YouTube. His solo adventures and small ensemble numbers (mostly duets) are great fun. He has a very playful spirit and complicated sense of humor. He likes to play in acoustically interesting places which range from creepy but beautifully lit old abandoned houses to grain silos, warehouses, odd echoey chambers, huge wet basements, and well, the fun is seeing it for yourself. Saxophones are powerful ...

6
Album Review

Derek Brown: Beatbox Sax

Read "Beatbox Sax" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


One man bands are something of a novelty: some guy with a half a dozen instruments (or more)--guitar, drums, harmonica--affixed to his body in various ways. Saxophonist Derek Brown blows the one man band route with just the saxophone on Beatbox Sax. The first reaction on spinning the disc, opening with Brown's original composition, “Catch 'Em Up," could understandably be: “That's not live, he's slipping in loops and salting the saxophonic sonic stew in the studio with electronics." ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

All Figured Out

Self Produced
2020

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Symbiosis

Ear Up Records
2020

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FiftyFifty

Self Produced
2018

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BEATBoX SAX

Self Produced
2016

buy

Videos

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