Rob Brown
b. 27 February 1962, Hampton, Virginia, USA. A striking new voice on alto saxophone, Brown began on piano as a child but switched to saxophone at the age of 13. He studied briefly at James Madison University, Berklee College Of Music and New York University but credits the celebrated Philadelphia teacher Dennis Sandole (whose students have included John Coltrane, Art Farmer and Tommy Flanagan) as his major influence—together with recordings by Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler and Roscoe Mitchell. While based in Boston in the early '80s, Brown met pianist Matthew Shipp, with whom he has continued to work in New York (where both men relocated in 1985). They co-led a trio, Right Hemisphere, and their debut recording was the duo SONIC EXPLORATIONS. Brown also leads his own trio, with William Parker and Dennis Charles; their BREATH RHYME was one of the outstanding new jazz releases of 1990. Brown plays essentially a fiery free jazz, but with superb control and self-discipline.