Alex Brown: "A Very Bright Light"

“Alex Brown represents a very bright light, glowing in the midst of those who are yet finding their way towards his level of excellence," remarks the bassist Cecil McBee. "His discipline precedes a high level of artistry that rarely is found at his young age."The young pianist's international career began in 2007, when the legendary Cuban reedist Paquito D'Rivera first heard him perform in Washington, D.C. After a month-long silence following the concert, Alex received a call from D'Rivera, who told him that he "sounded pretty good...even on that plastic piano!" In the last few years, Alex has toured the world with D'Rivera, and shared a 2010 GRAMMY nomination for his contributions to D'Rivera's album, Jazz-Clazz (Termidor). Alex's sideman résumé also includes performances with Miguel Zenón, as well as Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.In addition to growing notoriety in jazz circles, Alex is also building a reputation as a classical musician: he has recorded and performed with the Imani Winds, as well as with the clarinetist Sabine Meyer, and has joined major orchestras in concert in the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Spain. He recently finished his first commission for orchestra.Amidst these other obligations, Alex also performs regularly his own quintet. The group made a memorable debut at The Gallery in September of 2011 with D'Rivera as a special guest, and returned last March with a lineup featuring the saxophonist and Jazz Gallery veteran Yosvany Terry. On Thursday, we will welcome Alex and his quintet back to our stage. This iteration of the band includes the trumpeter Michael Rodriguez, the percussionist Paulo Stagnaro, the drummer Eric Doob, and Alex's brother, the bassist Zach Brown. This concert will be Alex's third as a part of our Debut Series, which enables us not only to present new artists, but also to continue to cultivate their talents through return performances.Watch Alex's quartet performing "Lamentos" live at the Telluride Jazz Celebration.