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Theo Brown was originally drawn to drumming by his parents love of music and constant playing of music in the home. Theo's parent's loved the music of Basie and Ellington and they passed it on to him. His fascination with drumming and music was encouraged by his mother when she bought him a set of bongos at age 4.It wasn't until age 9 that he had his first drumming instruction in grade school. Later at age 13 while living in Baltimore, Theo would join a drum and bugle corp which was his first real drumming experience.
While attending Haddon twp. High School in Westmont, N.J., Theo began to meet other young aspiring musicians and started playing on a regular basis and wailing away in his grandmother's basement. After graduating high school and a brief time in college Theo would go west to Los Angeles and hang out with his cousin Cheryl , who worked for Motown and this would further inspire Theo's dream of pursuing music.
Theo would return to the east coast and in 1975 he started attending jam sessions at Grendal's Lair on South Street in Philly. He would meet and be befriended by jazz great drummer Sherman Ferguson and then fusion great Gerry Brown who provided Theo with guidance and direction. His drumming influences at the time came to include Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Alphonse Mouzon, Lenny White, Tony Williams.
Later in 1975 Theo would join a local Philly R&B band and started gaining playing experience. In 1977 Theo would meet notable drum instructor Russ Moy, who instilled Theo with a sense of trust and confidence and a system that would last for years. In 1979 life took another direction and Theo joined the Air Force.while serving in the military Theo played during his off duty time in three different bands. After getting out of the Air Force Theo started shedding intensely and in 1987 performed with jazz flautist James Newton and later in that same year performed with Randy Brecker and Eliane Elias.1990 Theo began playing with blues great Johnny Copeland and Sonny Rhodes.
Theo had been a member of blues legend ,Sonny Rhodes touring band from 1995-2004 . Theo's drumming style can be best described as solid and diverse. His musical focus is committed to combining all his influences and experiences incorporating styles as diverse as blues, funk, fusion, gospel, jazz, R&B, latin, world beat rhythms.
Theo's influences include Dennis Chambers, Adam Deitch, Keith Carlock, Herbie Hancock, Rodney Holmes, Jack DeJohnette, Miles Davis, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Aaron Spears, Marvin McQuitty, Lil' John Roberts, Calvin Rodgers, Steve Hass, Steve Barney, Sherman Ferguson.
Theo has toured and performed with the following artists:
Randy Brecker / Eliane Elias
Catalyst (Tyrone Brown, Sherman Green, Eddie Green, Odean Pope)
James Newton
PineTop Perkins
Johnny Copeland
Sonny Rhodes
Joe Madison
Mel Brown
Jimmy McGriff
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Jimmy McCracklin
Russell Jackson
Michael Coleman
Guitar shorty
Luther Allison
Bernard Allison
Shemekia Copeland
Randy Lippincott
Floyd Phillips
Bobby Kyle
E.C. Scott
Gary Busey
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Big Jack Johnson
Magic Slim
Van Shaw
Hubert Sumlin
Carlos Zialcita
Ron Thompson
Mark Naftalin
Charles Taylor
George Taylor
Ace Moreland
Bob Greenlee
Leon Blue
Janiva Magness
Big Dave McClean
Little Mike
Daniel Lanois
Bernie Worrell
A.C. Reed
Theotis Ealey
Sandra Hall
Theo Brown's Discography:
Living Too Close To The Edge-Sonny Rhodes 1990
Born To Be Blue-Sonny Rhodes 1997
Blue Diamond-Sonny Rhodes 1999
A Good Day To Play The Blues 2001
LA Project 2002
Moose Grease-Sonny Rhodes 2004
Let It Loose-Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne 2004
Russell Jackson 2004
Television and filmed appearances:
AM Kelowna
The A-Channel Morning Show w/ Sonny Rhodes, Russell Jackson, Janiva Magness
Live at The Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska(PBS)
CBC recording of Labatt BluesFest 2003
Dvd filming at The Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania 2004
CBC filming at The Commercial Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta June 2005
Music Influences
B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, The Meters, Jimmy Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Scofield, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Ray Charles, James Brown, Prince, Sting, Christian Scott, Marcus Miller, Jill scott, Meshellndegeocello, Erykah Badu, Common, The Roots,Tower Of Power, Antibalas, Robert Glasper, Steve Coleman, andy Milne, Gaia, Gregoire Maret, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, soulive, Joe Zawinul
Alternative Links
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