LARRY BROWN Jr.’S EXTENSION OF SELF!
LARRY BROWN Jr. is a young goal oriented man who has a heart for his music and inspiring others through it. He loves teaching people about Jazz and music in general. He’s humble and he’s is a giver to people and he is doing what he loves. His friends love to tease him that he sings when he plays and they’re afraid he’ll end up sounding like Keith Jarret after a while, so he’s trying real hard to break the habit!
Larry, welcome and thank you so much for participating in this project. Let’s get right into it!
1. What is music to and for you?
Music to me is a major part of the life of human beings. There is no human that does not listen to music and I don’t think anyone could function without it. I often ask people what would happen if music became extinct; no radios, no videos, no itunes, no music on commercials or on movies. How would this effect your world? I believe many of us would find ourselves in a state of dysfunction, for all of us need to hear the sound of music. Music for me is my life’s passion. It is what drives me and keeps up getting up in the early morning to practice and the wee hours of the night writing. Music is the vehicle I use to help, inspire, uplift and motivate others.
2. What inspires you?
God, my family, and people who have given something to this world that made their living not in vain. People like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
3. When you are playing, creating, not-performing, where does it take you? I mean where does your mind travel?
For me music plays with my emotions. Furthermore, when I am playing music, it takes me on what is sometimes an emotional journey. Sometimes, for example, if I am playing a ballad I think about the words of the ballad and ask myself who would I say this to? After answering that question I create a mental picture of them in my mind in the front row of the audience and I just say what I have to say in a very musical way. I like emotions. I like to play happy and sometimes I like to play sad, or play mad. In the creative process, for me, it’s like telling a story. I usually take one idea; sometimes it could be a bass line, or sometimes it could be some rhythmic figure. I take that one idea I just build and build and build and build until the story is told. My mind goes to a place or a person in the writing process. Not necessarily a place I have been or someone I know, but maybe to a place I would like to go or person whom we all know.
4. Do you think music, visual arts and health are related, and if so, how do you see that?
I know a lot of artists that if they could not perform anymore, do to health reasons or any reason for that matter, they would die. Some of these artists are millionaires but if you told them no more performing they would die. And I’m not just talking about physically dying, but they would die mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually. There is no retirement plan in the life of a true artist. You do it until you die, period. Duke Ellington couldn’t stop writing. Stevie Wonder can’t stop performing. Nancy Wilson, who is in her seventies (and still looks great!) can’t stop singing. Clark Terry, who will be 90 years old this year, is still plays trumpet! As a listener and a general music fan, I believe that people are healed through the power of music. Music can change you and how you feel about a particular subject. It can make you feel better about life. It can make you have the one last cry about a lost love and then you can move on, the power of music.
5. When you are playing, how do you feel?
For me it depends on the moment. There are moments when I’m playing when I’m not thinking, I just let it flow organically. There are other moments (especially when I’m not familiar with a tune) that I have to think about chord changes and things. Then there are moments when I just listen to what’s going on around me in the band or even in the audience.
6. Do you identify with your music, and if so, on what level?
I identify with my music on every level. My music is from the heart and soul. My compositions are extensions of my inner most thoughts, feelings, ideals and experiences.
7. When do you do your best work, or when do you feel you play your best?
I don’t know, I never want to play at my best. I believe music in a life-long journey for a musician. And as musicians, we should be always striving to reach our musical best. There are instances where I would listen back at a recording and say yea that was good but my best is something I’m still trying to get to.
8. Does music help you connect to your “Higher Self” whatever that is for you?
Music is God’s gift to me. I use that gift he has given me to connect with him and to minister to is people and connect with them.
9. Many people in many countries feel that school kills creativity. How do you fell about that?
School helped cultivate my creativity. I feel like anybody who is doing anything to block them from reaching there destiny needs to stop doing that and more whether it be school, a job or even people. I hate when people blame their inability to produce on school. Michael Jordan was creative as a North Carolina Tar Heel as well as a Chicago Bull. The more he grew as player the better he got and that started in high school. We can’t blame Jordan’s career or North Carolina and can’t blame on the Chicago Bulls either, we can only blame Michael Jordan and his desire to be great on his success.
No. 10) Why Jazz?
Why not Jazz?, jazz is america’s musical backbone, its our creation, our art. without there would would be none of the music we all enjoy probably wouldn’t have come forth. And since jazz is the backbone, it will always be around. As Art Blakey said, No Amereica, No Jazz.
Larry, this has been a most interesting interview. I want to wish you the best in all your endeavours Until we meet again, be blessed!
TO THE READER :
You are cordially invited to visit Larry’s website to hear more of his wonderful music. Larry Brown’s New Album “There Can Only Be One” is now available! Your comments are welcome and sincerely appreciated. Enjoy!
Larry is also on Facebook.
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Comments
Excellent musician!!!!!
I enjoyed his music.
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