Derek Brown (musician)

Derek Brown (born July 18, 1983) is an American saxophonist based out of Chicago, IL. Brown is best known for his particular style of playing, dubbed "BEATBoX SAX," which combines various extended techniques, percussive effects (e.g. stomping and beating his saxophone), and at times vocal elements.[1] He is currently performing a tour involving visiting every US state within 12 months.

Derek Brown performs at the 53rd Heineken Jazzaldia Festival in San Sebastian, Spain in July 2018.

Brown has released two solo albums, BEATBoX SAX (2016) and FiftyFifty (2018).

Additional albums include “All Figured Out” in collaboration with the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, and “Symbiosis”, a collaboration with Jeff Coffin.

Early life and career

Derek Brown grew up in southwest Michigan and graduated from Hope College with bachelor's degrees in both jazz and classical performance. He earned his master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. Brown was the director of jazz studies and instructor of saxophone at Abilene Christian University from 2008 to 2014. In 2014 Brown moved to Chicago, IL at which point he began his solo career.

Solo career

In November 2014, Brown began his YouTube channel, BEATBoX SAX. Brown recorded and released his first album, BEATBoX SAX, in 2016, which charted on Billboard's Jazz Albums in Nov. 2016.[2] Brown has been featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, in DownBeat Magazine and on WGN Radio in Chicago, IL (USA).[3][4][5]

Brown has performed at music festivals around the world, such as the Heineken Jazzaldia in Spain, Jazz Province festival in Russia, and the Penang Island Jazz Festival in Malaysia.[6][7][8] During the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020, Brown performed at the first Virtual Sounds Festival curated by Beaumont Music.[9][10]

Brown released his second album, entitled FiftyFifty, on Aug. 31, 2018. Brown's CD release coincided with the start of his FiftyFifty Tour, which includes at least one performance in all 50 states in the US from Aug. 2018 - May 2019.[11][12]

Discography

Solo Albums:

  • BEATBoX SAX (2016)
  • FiftyFifty (2018)
  • All Figured Out - with the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra (2020)

References
  1. "Derek Brown Redefines The Notion Of A One-Man-Band On His New CD 'Beatbox Sax'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  2. "Jazz Music: Top Jazz Albums & Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  3. "Derek Brown Redefines The Notion Of A One-Man-Band On His New CD 'Beatbox Sax'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  4. "DownBeat | Digital Edition | DECEMBER 2018". www.downbeat.com. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  5. "The world famous BEATBox saxophonist Derek Brown will blow you away". WGN Radio - 720 AM. 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  6. "53rd edition 2018". Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  7. "Derek Brown — Участники фестиваля". jazzprovince.ru. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  8. jazz (11 October 2015). "DEREK BROWN | 14th Penang Island Jazz Festival 2016". Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  9. Featherstone, Emma (3 April 2020). "Mourning Glastonbury? Missing the Royal Opera House? Tune into this upstart festival from your living room". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  10. Holland, Imogen (2020-06-20). "Virtual Concerts - the new normal for live music?". Live A Little Louder. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  11. "Beatbox Sax Pioneer In 50-State Tour". onlinedigeditions.com. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  12. "FiftyFifty Tour to Feature a Performance in Every State in the U.S". Jazz Corner. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
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