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Mel Brown (December 4, 1967) is a Grammy Award-winning American jazz musician, author, instructor, and self-promotion pioneer.

Brown has performed with virtuosos such as Michel Camilo, Joey DeFrancesco, Brian Bromberg, superstars like Marc Anthony, Brian McKnight, and Eddie Murphy, and has recorded on dozens of top-ten Smooth-Jazz projects with artists such as Dave Koz, Wayman Tisdale, George Benson, Marion Meadows, Eric Darius, and many others.

Background
Need info on Mel'l background. Use Marcus Millers profile as example.

Early career
Brown got his first big break courtesy of the Arsenio Hall late-night television show.

Brown explains, “The Arsenio Hall show was having a contest called the "Flavor of the Future". I sent Arsenio a video of me playing the bass. I asked him if I could just sit in with the band -- not actually be the contest. I told him that I was trying to get my career started and that playing on his show would be a great credit and a huge help. Nineteen days later I got a call from the show -- they hired me to front the band for 1 night. In November '93 I did the show - Arsenio gave me some pretty massive hype and I met some great cats. I was off and running.”

Armed with his new credentials, Brown was hired to tour and record with a Denver based smooth jazz saxophonist, which allowed him to network himself into the New York music scene.

Self Promotion
Mel was the first musician in the world to use an Enhanced Multimedia CD-ROM as a business card. In 1997, he successfully introduced himself to the Los Angeles music scene and landed a major touring gig with Gladys Knight in less than a month.

With the help of friends, Brown documented his musical body of work using a multi-media CD that would allow potential employers to view a video resume via personal computer or listen to his playing track by track on a CD player. His vision was that the effectiveness of the multimedia presentation of could significantly shorten the amount of time between meeting a contact and doing business with them. Brown’s belief in this approach was so strong that he staked his livelihood on it and headed to LA 1997.

As quoted in Bass Player magazine, "I spent about $4,500 for 1,100 copies, which is about $4 per disc. Obviously, the higher-profile jobs that I've gotten as a result have more than covered my investment-but even if I hand out one CD and get a $60 gig, the disc paid for itself 15 times over. So really the question isn't can you afford to do your own CD profile - it's ‘can you afford not to?’"

Shortly after the move, Brown was established as a well respected and in-demand bassist in the LA music scene.

Discography
Mel Brown has appeared on:


 * Marc Anthony: The HBO Concert
 * George Benson & Al Jarreau: Givin’ It Up
 * Jonathan Butler: Mandela Bay (Remix)
 * Joey Defrancesco/Jimmy Smith: Legacy
 * Wayman Tisdale: Way Up, Hang Time
 * Marion Meadows: Dressed to Chill, Players Club
 * Gregg Karukas: Heatwave
 * Chuck Loeb: The Music Inside, The Moon, The Stars..., Listen
 * Keiko Matsui: White Owl/Live In Japan
 * Kevin Toney: Extra Sensual Perception, Sweet Spot, Strut
 * Eric Darius: Just Getting Started
 * David Lanz: Finding Paradise
 * Steve Oliver: Radiant
 * Steve Reid: Passion in Paradise
 * Arnold McCuller: Live
 * Rayford Griffin: Rebirth of the Cool
 * Donny Edwards: Swiftly Falling
 * David Hernandez: Cause & Affect
 * Bethany Wright: Phoenix Rising
 * Kloud 9: On Kloud 9
 * Reggie C: C-Note
 * Jimmy Reid: For the Family
 * Jay Soto: Grooveland
 * Nina Storey: Shades
 * Taylor Mesple: Victory Land, In The Present Time
 * Kenny Loggins/Jean M. Byron: Let It Be
 * Various Artists: Songs for the Soul, Vol. 1
 * Smooth Jazz Plays Duke Ellington

Touring
Brown has performed live with:


 * Eddie Murphy
 * Neil Patrick Harris
 * Tony Shalub
 * Brian McKnight(Tour)
 * Marc Anthony
 * Gladys Knight
 * Jamie Foxx
 * Walter Afanasieff
 * Monica
 * Terry Dexter
 * Kenny Lattimore (Tour)
 * Chante Moore (Tour)
 * Marques Houston & IMX
 * Jeff Kashiwa (Tour)
 * Thom Rotella
 * David Mann
 * Michel Camilo (Tour)
 * Arnold McCuller (Tour)
 * Blake Aaron
 * Doc Powell
 * Eric Marienthal (Tour)
 * Coko: SWV
 * Brian Bromberg
 * Everette Harp

Publishing
In 2008, Brown released his first book "From Zero To Sideman in 5 Steps" “http://www.fromzerotosideman.com”. The work has been described as a “no-nonsense book that keeps it real and takes the mystery out of making it happen”. Everything from deciding to go pro, buying gear, getting educated, making a demo, to self-promotion is covered here in easy to understand language”, the book has received positive reviews.

Bass Player magazine: “Bass players and musicians everywhere will benefit big time because Mel Brown took the time to write this informative, candid, concise, compelling method book based on his model, self-made career. If you can stride through Step One: “Choose the Life,” you'll be well on your way to sideman success! - Chris Jisi -Senior Contributing Editor

Currently
Mel is residing in Phoenix, Arizona area, where he performs regularly with vocalist Khani Cole. He also maintains a full recording schedule in his home recording studio; The Chase Lounge.

Category:American jazz composers Category:American jazz bass guitarists Category:American session musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Smooth jazz bass guitarists

Category:1967 births Category:Living people

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