Norman Brown

Contemporary jazz guitarist Norman Brown was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and is based in Atlanta. He picked up the guitar at eight; Jimi Hendrix and the Isley Brothers were early influences before Wes Montgomery changed his course. After studying at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles he became the flagship act on Motown’s MoJazz label. His 1992 debut, Just Between Us, was followed by After the Storm, which Gavin and Soul Train named jazz album of the year.

Just Chillin’, with guests Michael McDonald, Miki Howard and Chanté Moore, won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2003. He also plays in BWB with Kirk Whalum on saxophone and Rick Braun on trumpet. His Shanachie albums include The Highest Act of Love (2019), featuring Deniece Williams and a guitar duet with Paul Brown, and Authentically Norman (2026), his fifteenth as a leader. His playing mixes jazz with funk, blues, pop and R&B, and critics have compared him to George Benson and Wes Montgomery.