Norman Brown Captures New Takes on Sources of His Inspiration

The multi-talented Grammy award winner records for the Peak Records label and has earned an international following of loyal fans who share his passion for great music and performing before live audiences. With the release of Sending My Love, Brown continues to make his presence felt on the jazz scene in the post – Smooth Jazz Movement. This inspired program of nine original songs reflects his uplifting influence on contemporary jazz.

About the Songs and on Sending My Love

Norman Brown’s superb guitar playing and quasi-instrumental vocalizing techniques have generated critical acclaim and commercial success for his much-beloved recipe of sounds. The songs are a stylistic mix of instrumental and vocal compositions that feature a wide array of contemporary jazz musicians. Longtime collaborators making contributions include drummer Teddy Campbell, bassist Alex Al, drummer Teddy Campbell, rhythm guitarist Jubu, Herman Jackson, and percussionist Kevin Ricard.

Among the songs included are Kenny Loggins’ iconic “Celebrate Me Home” which features Brown’s daughter Rochella Brown serving up her soulful vocals as well as the Grammy-winning choral ensemble called Sounds of Blackness. The song is dedicated to another of Brown’s daughters who are serving in Iraq. “Play Time,” and “Special Moments” offers listeners two different sides of Norman’s exemplary guitarist expertise. The former has an uptempo Latin flavor the incites you to dance while the latter has a mellow, laid-back sound that invites you to relax with that special someone.

“I’m Pouring My Heart Out” and “One Last Goodbye” are both showcases for the talents of producer/songwriters The Bizness, Melvin Moore III, and Floyd E. Bentley III. These songs feature soothing, soulful vocals and heartwrenching lyrics that should appeal to the romantic nature of Brown’s fans. Brown anticipates a broader appeal by adding these youthful collaborators, and in turn, their distinct efforts have become significant events on this recording.

Although Norman Brown’s compositions works traverse jazz, pop, and funk idioms, it is his smooth, mellow guitar work that appeals most to his fans. The centerpiece and title track of the recording are “Sending My Love.” This song features Brown signature musical dialogue that emphasizes his harmonic and melo-rhythmic approach to a song as well as his artistic maturity.

About Norman Brown, The Musician

Born in Shreveport and raised in Kansas City, Norman Brown first began playing guitar at the age of 8! Initially inspired by the legendary Jimi Hendrix’s mind-bending rock sounds, Brown later discovered the cool sounds of mellow jazzman Wes Montgomery. After moving to Los Angeles, he attended and then graduated from the Musicians Institute where he also taught guitar for several years.

After playing the club scene in Los Angeles for a while, Brown was noticed by scouts for the MoJazz Record label and signed to the division of Motown Records. In 1992, his debut Just Between Us gained full recognition, but it was his follow up titled After The Storm that becomes his first certified- gold record. Brown moved over to Warner Brothers where he teamed up with hit-making producer Paul Brown. They offered the world Celebration, and in 2003 they won their Grammy award for Just Chillin’ in the Best Pop Instrumental category.

In 2005, West Coast Coolin’ featured Brown’s vocals and went on to become a major seller for the guitarist. Now with Peak Records since 2007’s smash hit Stay With Me, Brown is building on the musical foundation he laid with that record. With Sending My Love he is sure to garner even more fans due to the inspired performances of his core group and guest artists, but most of all because of his smooth, mellow sounds emanating from his guitar and vocals.