"From King Oliver to Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarro to Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis to Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove to Nicholas Payton, it seems that all great jazz trumpeters, regardless of generation or stylistic inclination, are drawn to the funk. Each of those aforementioned artists – and there are many more – have steered jazz significantly by incorporating those sweaty, syncopated rhythms, edgy riffs and blues-based melodies we call funk. You can now add Maurice Brown to that illustrious list of jazz trumpeters. His debut disc, Hip to Bop sublimely integrates the intricate improvisational burn of bebop with the pulsating rhythms of hip hop and R&B." -- John Murph, BET J
"Brown’s energy almost created the first jazz mosh pit. Audience members were clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and exhorting the trumpeter to keep the fire burning..." -- Edward Zucker, All About Jazz
"Brown is one of the most exciting young trumpeters in jazz--be it New Orleans or New York. His improvisations are fresh, his chops dynamic and he's writing what could very well become a new generation of hard-bop-meets-new-grooves standards." -- Jason Koransky, Editor, DownBeat Magazine
"When Maurice Brown blows his trumpet, folks notice. His irrefutable energy, talent and focus continually surprise audiences..."-- Geraldine Wyckoff, JazzTimes Magazine
Hip to Bop is the debut recording from 27 year old trumpeter Maurice Brown. The Chicago Tribune called Hip to Bop "one of the most startling debuts of year" as it added the record to it's list of "Best Recordings of the Year." On Hip to Bop, Brown announces himself a triple threat artist, equally effective as virtuoso trumpeter, versatile composer and supremely confident bandleader. To the New York Times, "Brown exemplifies the state of young jazz musicians: trying to draw a continuous line between the music's old, fractured territories." Melding R&B and funk with hard core, high art mainstream jazz, Brown presents a compelling argument for the coexistence of intricate harmonies, bold melodies and deep grooves.
Maurice Brown was born on January 6, 1981, in the south suburb of Chicago, Harvey, Illinois. He grew up with avid music lovers, Charles and Charlotte. Showing a remarkable affinity for the trumpet at an early age, Brown was invited to perform with composer/pianist Ramsey Lewis at the Symphony Center in Chicago while still attending Hillcrest High School. Following graduation, he was awarded a full music scholarship at Northern Illinois University.In 2001 Brown won first place in the National Miles Davis Trumpet Competition. He later continued his studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he worked with famed clarinetist, educator and mentor, Alvin Batiste. Brown relocated to New Orleans shortly thereafter, and within a year was invited to headline weekly at the premiere jazz club, Snug Harbor. And consider this, the only other names that hold down a coveted weekly spot at Snug are Marsalis and Neville.
Maurice has played with numerous jazz veterans, including Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Ellis Marsalis, Louis Hayes, Wynton Marsalis, Von Freeman, Dr. Nathan Davis, Patrice Rushen, Billy Cobbham, Dr. Billy Taylor, Mulgrew Miller, Lonnie Plaxico, and others. Legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry said, "Brownie is the young trumpeter to watch for sure. I see young cats all over the world and Maurice has it." He has also recorded with many artists, including Curtis Fuller, Fred Anderson, Roy Hargrove, Aretha Franklin, Talib Kweli, Ernest Dawkins & The New Horizons, and Wyclef Jean among many others.
In 2004, Maurice self-produced his debut album, Hip to Bop which hit the airwaves as the number one add in its first week and has been steadily gaining international attention ever since. Released on his own label, Brown Records, Maurice says, "Hip to Bop reflects my music itself. I try to make sure everything is swinging and you can really move to it, that hip-hop groove feel." Hip to Bop breaks down the generational divide by bringing jazz into the present with fresh sounds while staying true to hard bop roots. Audiences young and old, from California to New York, to Tokyo are feeling Hip to Bop.
After Hurricane Katrina, Maurice relocated to New York City and became an instant household name on the scene. He's been featured at Dizzy's Coca Cola Room, Jazz Standard, Blue Note, Symphony Space, Iridium Jazz Club, and other top music clubs. The Maurice Brown Quintet appears in both music Festivals & Venues internationally and locally. He also continues to appear regularly with his hip-hop/funk combo/production team, Soul'd U Out. (Please visit soulduout.com for more details.)
An equally masterful trumpeter, composer, producer and bandleader at just 27 years old, Maurice Brown is sure to make an influential mark on jazz and the world beyond for many years to come. As trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard stated, "Maurice Brown is one of the most talented of his generation. He has the vision to bring a new voice, not only to his instrument, but to jazz in general." And that's exactly what he's doing.
