Lawrence Brown (August 3, 1907 – September 5, 1988) was an American jazztrombonist from California best remembered for his work with the Duke Ellington orchestra.[1] He was a session musician throughout his career, and also recorded albums under his own name.
Early life
Lawrence Brown was born on August 3, 1907, in Lawrence, Kansas.[2] When Brown was about six or seven years old in 1914 his family moved to Oakland, California. He began playing the violin at a young age, but quickly grew tired of it and turned to playing the tuba in his school's band.
Brown came from a musical background. His father was a preacher at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where he often sang as a part of his sermons. Brown’s mother played the organ and the piano. Brown discovered the trombone while doing janitorial work at his father’s church. He stated that he wanted to replicate the sound of cello on a trombone.
Career
Brown began his career with Charlie Echols and Paul Howard.[2] In 1932, Brown joined Duke Ellington's band.[2] His great technical command of the instrument, with its "creamy tone, neurotic vibrato and range" was featured with Ellington's band every year in compositions such as "Blue Cellophane" and "Golden Cress."
He left Ellington's band in 1951 to join a band led by former Ellington sidemanJohnny Hodges, where he stayed until 1955.[2] After leaving Hodges, Brown took a position for five years with CBS as a session player.[2] In 1960, he rejoined Ellington and stayed with him until 1970.[2] After leaving Ellington's band the second time at the age of 63, Brown stopped performing.[2]
He fulfilled many roles in the Ellington Orchestra—as a balladeer, technical soloist, and section leader. His highly melodic ballad playing as well as his fast technical style inspired trombonists from Tommy Dorsey to Bill Harris.
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