Baron Browne
Encyclopedia
Baron Browne is an American
bassist
.
Born and raised in Georgia
, USA, Baron Browne gravitated to music at a very early age, learning to play his uncle's drumset at 7 years old. As a teenager he dabbled in piano lessons and at age 12 played guitar for a year before realizing that bass guitar
was to be his instrument.
At age 18, Baron was launched into the professional music scene right out of high school, moving to Boston and studying at the Berklee College of Music
. After studying at the prestigious school for a year, he began working full time in Boston with artists such as Kevin Eubanks
, Tiger Okoshi
, Mike Stern
, Bill Frisell
and Dean Brown.
In 1983, Baron received a call from jazz-fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty
. After touring for three years and recording three albums with Ponty, Billy Cobham
came calling. Baron traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. with the legendary drummer. After three years and two albums with Cobham, Baron returned to the Ponty band for more work.
In 1992, Baron joined the group Steps Ahead
featuring Mike Mainieri
and "Saturday Night Live
" saxophonist Alex Foster
. One year later he was invited by renowned jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton
to join him for tours of Japan, Europe and the US.
Baron's versatility with playing all styles of music allowed him to also perform with R&B and Pop artists such as Brian McKnight
, Tom Jones
and Exposé
.
In 1996, Ponty called on Baron once again to record his first live album in over 20 years ("Live at Chene Park"). The album received rave reviews from jazz critics. In 1997 Baron's talents were secured by renowned Journey
drummer Steve Smith
for a European tour with his group Vital Information
.
The sought-after bassist has made several television appearances, including "The Pat Sajak
Show" on CBS
and "Ohne Filter
" in Germany.
Baron can be heard on many albums by jazz recording artist Walter Beasley
. Walter's album "For Your Pleasure" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Magazine contemporary jazz chart. Because of Baron's musical experience, Walter also made Baron musical director of his touring band.
In 1999 Baron went on an extensive tour of Europe, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand with Vital Information
to help promote their CD entitled "Where We Come From." A double live CD called Live Around The World documenting the band on that tour was released in 2000.
In the year 2002 Baron continued to tour with Vital Information
to promote the CD "Show ‘Em Where You Live." He was also included in the writing and producing of this album.
While working with Vital Information
, Steve Smith
also uses Baron for his Buddy Rich
tribute band Buddy's Buddies with Mark Soskin and Buddy Rich alumni Steve Marcus
and Andy Fusco. They have released two live recordings showcasing that lineup, "Very Live at Ronnie Scotts' Set 1 and Set 2."
As of 2004, Baron continues to write and perform with Vital Information
as a full-fledged member. Their latest release "Come On In" received rave reviews from jazz critics around the world.
Baron has continued to be a major force in the music industry. He has expanded his range to include producing and arranging for other artists as well as his own projects.
Baron has also toured and performed with Angela Bofill
, Stanley Clarke
, Tom Browne, Billy Cobham
, Kevin Eubanks
, Lonnie Liston Smith
, Noel Pointer
, Freddie Hubbard
, Tiger Okoshi
, Kenny G
, Jean-Luc Ponty
, Dave Valentine, Stanley Turrentine
, Gary Burton
, Larry Coryell
, Randy Brecker
, Al Di Meola
, Exposé
, Tom Jones
, Brian McKnight
, Walter Beasley
, and Aydın Esen
, Tommy Campbell, Sa Davis and Andrea Bocelli
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
.
Born and raised in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA, Baron Browne gravitated to music at a very early age, learning to play his uncle's drumset at 7 years old. As a teenager he dabbled in piano lessons and at age 12 played guitar for a year before realizing that bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
was to be his instrument.
At age 18, Baron was launched into the professional music scene right out of high school, moving to Boston and studying at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. After studying at the prestigious school for a year, he began working full time in Boston with artists such as Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Tyrone Eubanks is an American jazz guitarist and composer who was the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.- Personal background :Eubanks was born into a musical family...
, Tiger Okoshi
Tiger Okoshi
Toru "Tiger" Okoshi is an American jazz fusion trumpeter. He was born in the Year of the Tiger on March 21 1950, just outside of Osaka , Japan. As a child he was, in fact, devoted to painting as he loves today...
, Mike Stern
Mike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
, Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell
William Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
and Dean Brown.
In 1983, Baron received a call from jazz-fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty is a French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer.- Early years:Ponty was born into a family of classical musicians on 29 September 1942 in Avranches, France. His father taught violin, his mother taught piano...
. After touring for three years and recording three albums with Ponty, Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
William C. Cobham is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who has called Switzerland home since the late 1970s....
came calling. Baron traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. with the legendary drummer. After three years and two albums with Cobham, Baron returned to the Ponty band for more work.
In 1992, Baron joined the group Steps Ahead
Steps Ahead
Steps Ahead is a jazz fusion group and the brainchild of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. According to the liner notes of the group's 1983 debut album , entitled Steps Ahead, "Steps began as a part-time venture in 1979 at Seventh Avenue South, a New York City nightclub." The group began releasing...
featuring Mike Mainieri
Mike Mainieri
Michael T. Mainieri, Jr. is a vibraphonist best known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead....
and "Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
" saxophonist Alex Foster
Alex Foster
Alexander Dwight Foster is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. He is the son of former NHL player Dwight Foster and nephew of former NHL player Wes Jarvis. Prior to advancing to the professional ranks, Foster played both junior...
. One year later he was invited by renowned jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton
Gary Burton
Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
to join him for tours of Japan, Europe and the US.
Baron's versatility with playing all styles of music allowed him to also perform with R&B and Pop artists such as Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
and Exposé
Exposé (band)
Exposé is an American vocal group. Primarily consisting of lead vocalists Ann Curless, Jeanette Jurado, and Gioia Bruno, the group achieved much of their success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, becoming the first group to have four top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from their debut...
.
In 1996, Ponty called on Baron once again to record his first live album in over 20 years ("Live at Chene Park"). The album received rave reviews from jazz critics. In 1997 Baron's talents were secured by renowned Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
drummer Steve Smith
Steve Smith (musician)
Steve Elliott Smith is an American drummer who has worked with hundreds of artists in his career, but is mostly known for being the drummer of the rock band Journey during their peak years of success. Modern Drummer magazine readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row...
for a European tour with his group Vital Information
Vital Information
Steve Smith and Vital Information is an American jazz fusion group led by drummer Steve Smith.Vital Information was formed from the two groups, Frank Keyboard and The Keyboards and Pennywhistle Pokkett, both massively influential on the jazz and blues scene, by Steve Smith in 1983 with friends Tim...
.
The sought-after bassist has made several television appearances, including "The Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
Show" on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and "Ohne Filter
Ohne filter
Ohne Filter was a 45-minute live television program by German public TV station SWF featuring international pop and rock groups. In contrast to Rockpalast , which was broadcast from larger venues such as the Grugahalle, Ohne Filter was produced at the more intimate setting of a regular TV studio...
" in Germany.
Baron can be heard on many albums by jazz recording artist Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley is an American saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.-Biography:Beasley grew up in El Centro, California...
. Walter's album "For Your Pleasure" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Magazine contemporary jazz chart. Because of Baron's musical experience, Walter also made Baron musical director of his touring band.
In 1999 Baron went on an extensive tour of Europe, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand with Vital Information
Vital Information
Steve Smith and Vital Information is an American jazz fusion group led by drummer Steve Smith.Vital Information was formed from the two groups, Frank Keyboard and The Keyboards and Pennywhistle Pokkett, both massively influential on the jazz and blues scene, by Steve Smith in 1983 with friends Tim...
to help promote their CD entitled "Where We Come From." A double live CD called Live Around The World documenting the band on that tour was released in 2000.
In the year 2002 Baron continued to tour with Vital Information
Vital Information
Steve Smith and Vital Information is an American jazz fusion group led by drummer Steve Smith.Vital Information was formed from the two groups, Frank Keyboard and The Keyboards and Pennywhistle Pokkett, both massively influential on the jazz and blues scene, by Steve Smith in 1983 with friends Tim...
to promote the CD "Show ‘Em Where You Live." He was also included in the writing and producing of this album.
While working with Vital Information
Vital Information
Steve Smith and Vital Information is an American jazz fusion group led by drummer Steve Smith.Vital Information was formed from the two groups, Frank Keyboard and The Keyboards and Pennywhistle Pokkett, both massively influential on the jazz and blues scene, by Steve Smith in 1983 with friends Tim...
, Steve Smith
Steve Smith (musician)
Steve Elliott Smith is an American drummer who has worked with hundreds of artists in his career, but is mostly known for being the drummer of the rock band Journey during their peak years of success. Modern Drummer magazine readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row...
also uses Baron for his Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
tribute band Buddy's Buddies with Mark Soskin and Buddy Rich alumni Steve Marcus
Steve Marcus
Steve Marcus was an American jazz saxophonist....
and Andy Fusco. They have released two live recordings showcasing that lineup, "Very Live at Ronnie Scotts' Set 1 and Set 2."
As of 2004, Baron continues to write and perform with Vital Information
Vital Information
Steve Smith and Vital Information is an American jazz fusion group led by drummer Steve Smith.Vital Information was formed from the two groups, Frank Keyboard and The Keyboards and Pennywhistle Pokkett, both massively influential on the jazz and blues scene, by Steve Smith in 1983 with friends Tim...
as a full-fledged member. Their latest release "Come On In" received rave reviews from jazz critics around the world.
Baron has continued to be a major force in the music industry. He has expanded his range to include producing and arranging for other artists as well as his own projects.
Baron has also toured and performed with Angela Bofill
Angela Bofill
Angela Bofill is an American R&B vocalist and songwriter.Bofill was born to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother; one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B market.She performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus prior to her 1978 debut album,...
, Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
, Tom Browne, Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
William C. Cobham is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who has called Switzerland home since the late 1970s....
, Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Tyrone Eubanks is an American jazz guitarist and composer who was the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.- Personal background :Eubanks was born into a musical family...
, Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr. is an American jazz, soul, and funk musician who played with important free jazz artists such as Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before forming Lonnie Liston Smith And The Cosmic Echoes, recording a number of albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion / Quiet Storm /...
, Noel Pointer
Noel Pointer
Noel Pointer was an American jazz violinist and record producer.He was nominated for a Grammy award in 1981. Pointer's reputation as an outstanding jazz musician and literary advocate garnered him honorary citizenship in cities across the United States...
, Freddie Hubbard
Freddie Hubbard
Frederick Dewayne "Freddie" Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles from the early 1960s and on...
, Tiger Okoshi
Tiger Okoshi
Toru "Tiger" Okoshi is an American jazz fusion trumpeter. He was born in the Year of the Tiger on March 21 1950, just outside of Osaka , Japan. As a child he was, in fact, devoted to painting as he loves today...
, Kenny G
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American, adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986...
, Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty is a French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer.- Early years:Ponty was born into a family of classical musicians on 29 September 1942 in Avranches, France. His father taught violin, his mother taught piano...
, Dave Valentine, Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
, Gary Burton
Gary Burton
Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
, Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...
, Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, Al Di Meola
Al Di Meola
Al Di Meola is an acclaimed American jazz fusion and Latin guitarist, composer, and record producer of Italian origin. With a musical career that has spanned more than three decades, he has become respected as one of the most influential guitarists in jazz to date...
, Exposé
Exposé (band)
Exposé is an American vocal group. Primarily consisting of lead vocalists Ann Curless, Jeanette Jurado, and Gioia Bruno, the group achieved much of their success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, becoming the first group to have four top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from their debut...
, Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley is an American saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.-Biography:Beasley grew up in El Centro, California...
, and Aydın Esen
Aydin Esen
Aydın Esen is a Turkish jazz musician who plays keyboards and electronics.Esen began music lessons at the age of 5 in Turkey. He moved to the United States when he was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston,also he graduated from Berklee College of Music in two semesters and...
, Tommy Campbell, Sa Davis and Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
.
Discography
- Tiger Okoshi, Muddcake (JVC)
- Frank Quintero, Frank Quintero (CBS Venezuela)
- Kevin Eubanks, Sundance (GRP)
- Jean-Luc Ponty, Fables (Atlantic)
- Jean-Luc Ponty, The Gift of Time (Atlantic)
- Jean-Luc Ponty, Storytelling (Atlantic)
- Jean-Luc Ponty, Live at Chene Park (Atlantic)
- Billy Cobham, Warning (GRP)
- Billy Cobham, Power Play (GRP)
- Mark O'Conner, Heroes (CBS)
- Walter Beasley, Tonight We Love (Shenachie) (also listed as Arranger)
- Walter Beasley, For Your Pleasure (Shenachie) (also listed as Producer)
- Gabriela Anders, Wanting (CBS)
- Walter Beasley, Won’t You Let Me Love You (Shenachie)
- Walter Beasley, Rendezvous (Shenachie) (also listed as Producer)
- Walter Beasley, Go With The Flow (Shenachie)
- Vital Information, Live Around The World (Intuition)
- Aydın Esen, Timescape (BMG)
- Vital Information, Show ‘Em Where You Live (Tone Center)
- Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies, Very Live At Ronnie Scott’s - Set One (Tone Center)
- Steve Smith and Buddy’s Buddies, Very Live At Ronnie Scott’s - Set Two (Tone Center)
- Steve Smith and Vital Information, Come On In (Tone Center)
- Andrea Bocelli, Andrea (Sugar)