Otis brown iii biography of william

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Many of those classmates, along with Otis himself, are some of the top musicians in the world today.

He was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious New School University.

While at the New School he had the opportunity to study with musicians such as Larry Goldings, Sam Yahel, John Riley, Carl Allen, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Lenny White, TS Monk Jr., Buster Williams, Reggie Workman, Lewis Nash and many others.

The New School proved to be the launching pad that his career took off from.

It was there where he truly began to develop as a musician. They recorded three albums, including the GRAMMY nominated Bird Songs. Hearing music from conception in this fertile, music rich environment would prove to be invaluable for his future.

Since his birth in NJ, Otis has traveled a path that has led to him being one of the most in demand, and well respected musicians in the world of music today.

He has been performing with him ever since.
Otis has toured extensively throughout the United States as well as performing at all of the major festivals abroad including Italy, France, Armenia, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and various other countries.

He also has performed for many dignitaries and Heads of State.

The musical friendship that Brown had with her led to him joining her band and recording her debut album. By age 12 he was playing lead alto saxophone in the school bands while playing the drums in the Baptist church.

After moving to Newark, N.J., home of legendary musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Sarah Vaughn, Larry Young and many others, he continued performing double duty in his school bands playing snare drum in marching band, and alto saxophone in the jazz and concert ensembles all of which were directed by his father Otis Brown Jr.

Otis decided to pursue his musical education in college at Delaware State University.

Musicians like recent Blue Note recording artist Robert Glasper, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, Interscope recording artist Bilal, former Electra recording artist Tiombe Lockhart, and saxophonist John Ellis.

His career took off from the New School and it doesn't seem to be landing anytime soon. They include Jeannie Bryson (daughter of Dizzy Gillespie), Ronnell Bey, Melissa Walker, Judi Silvano, Lisa Henry, Carla Cook, Vanessa Rubin, and Peter Cincotti.

In 1999 Otis' playing garnered the attention of Grammy award winning saxophonist Joe Lovano who then hired Otis to play in his trio, quartet and nonet.

Realizing the potential of the young musician, Donald Byrd suggested that Otis continue his studies in New York, the jazz center of the world. He also attended Delaware State University, where he met jazz legend Donald Byrd. Hearing music from conception in this fertile, music rich environment would prove to be invaluable for his future.

Since his birth in NJ, Otis has traveled a path that has led to him being one of the most in demand, and well respected musicians in the world of music today.

Born not far from Rudy Van Gelder's legendary recording studio, Otis' mother was working as a vocal music teacher/choir director and his father, a percussionist, at the time of his birth. She was also classically trained and a choir director. Brown says that faith is crucial for him. This sentiment is shared by almost every musician who has ever met Brown.

It is easy to see that Brown was forced into a profession he did not choose, but he didn’t feel any pressure from his musically-immersed upbringing. Musicians like recent Blue Note recording artist Robert Glasper, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, Interscope recording artist Bilal, former Electra recording artist Tiombe Lockhart, and saxophonist John Ellis.
His career took off from the New School and it doesn't seem to be landing anytime soon.

Having grown up in Newark, N.J. to the sounds of gospel, funk, rhythm and blues, and jazz, Otis believes music is a vessel for spiritual catharsis, storytelling, and advocacy. Many of those classmates, along with Otis himself, are some of the top musicians in the world today. Since his arrival in New York Otis has performed and toured with many musicians such as Christian McBride, Eric Lewis, Ron Blake, Roy Hargrove, Frank Lacy, Jeremy Pelt, Don Braden, Alex Sipiagin, Marc Ribot, Adam Rodgers, Pete Malinverni, Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, John Hicks, Oliver Lake, Aaron Goldberg, Bob Mintzer, Ron Jackson and other musicians too many to mention.

With the widely know fact that it takes a special kind of drummer to support vocalists, Otis is especially proud of the work that he's done with some of today's most prolific vocalists.

He spent countless hours under the wings of Dr. Byrd grasping all that he could.