Norman Brown is smooth jazz at its best

For well over two decades, Norman Brown has enjoyed an engaging and mutually rewarding relationship with his audiences and fans. This guitarist, composer and singer blends classic R&B and contemporary jazz using his own inimitable style.

As part of BWB with trumpet legend Rick Braun and jazz saxmaster Kirk Whalum, Brown intensifies the trio’s recipe of sound with his tried-and-true licks, perfected alongside such luminaries as Herman Jackson, Alex Al, Teddy Campbell, Melvin Moore III (his godson) and Floyd E. Bentley III.

Norman Brown was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He first picked up a guitar at the tender age of 8. In fact, his hands could barely encircle the fretboard!

Inspired by Jimi Hendrix’ leading-edge sound, Brown soon discovered his father’s favorite artist, the legendary Wes Montgomery (1923-1968).

Montgomery’s singular style virtually defined modern jazz guitar during the ‘50s and ‘60s, and young Norman had found his muse!

After high school, Brown moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career, attending (and teaching at) the Musicians Institute.

While playing with his own group in local clubs and drawing comparisons to George Benson, Brown’s critical acclaim and sales landed him with Warner Bros.

He released Celebration and the ‘03 follow up, Just Chillin’, earning him a Grammy® Award for best pop instrumental. That project was followed by his 2005 release West Coast Coolin’, where Brown tested out his skills as a vocalist, a move that was welcomed by the urban AC radio market. In addition, his 2005 compilation, The Very Best Of Norman Brown, was one of the best-selling smooth jazz albums of that year.

Join BWB’s Norman Brown, trumpet stylist Rick Braun and jazzman Kirk Whalum at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Performing Arts Theatre in Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.