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Donald Brown

Influential pianist and composer Donald Brown shares his inspirations. Plus London Jazz Festival highlights.

Julian Joseph presents an interview with his former mentor, pianist and composer Donald Brown, who shares some of the music that inspires him. Revered by musicians and those in the know, Brown has had a major influence on the jazz world. Over the course of his 50-year career he’s done everything from playing in Art Blakey’s iconic Jazz Messengers, touring with Donald Byrd and Freddie Hubbard, working in production at soul music giant Stax Records and producing eight of sax great Kenny Garrett’s albums. He’s been equally influential as an educator. In the mid-80s he taught at Berklee College of Music, mentoring then students including Danilo Pérez, Javon Jackson, Roy Hargrove and Julian Joseph himself. Here he chooses tracks that defined his thinking as a composer, including a soul-raising song by Earth Wind and Fire full of ingenious orchestration.

Also in the programme, Julian compiles a London Jazz Festival sampler, with highlights and tips from this year’s line-up.

Produced by Thomas Rees for Somethin’ Else.

1 hour, 29 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Nov 2021 17:00

Music Played

  • The Baylor Project (ft Kenny Garrett)

    Strivin'

  • Vijay Iyer Trio

    Retrofit

  • Kathrine Windfeld

    Safe & Sorrow

  • Cécile McLorin Salvant

    Ghost Song

  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

    Fuller Love

  • Lakecia Benjamin

    Om Shanti

  • Brad Mehldau Trio

    Stan The Man

  • Charles Lloyd

    Forest Flower Sunrise

  • Donald Brown

    The Thing About George Coleman

  • Donald Brown's Inspirations

    • Earth, Wind & Fire

      In The Stone

    • Herbie Hancock

      I Have A Dream

    • Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra

      Quiet Lady

  • Chelsea Carmichael

    Bone and Soil

Broadcast

  • Sat 13 Nov 2021 17:00