Terrence Brown's Electronic Press Kit

The saxophonist/composer had humble beginnings in Glendale, California, where, at the tender age of 4, he showed an express interest in music and started out as a drummer. His attempts at music were brought to a sudden halt as he and his mother abruptly relocated to Pennsylvania, not knowing the musical opportunities that awaited him.

While being reared in West Philadelphia, he immersed himself in the rich local musical heritage that was his "new" surroundings. Upon moving to Darby (a suburb of Philadelphia), he decided to settle on playing the saxophone, after trying the majority of woodwind instruments available to him. While still in high school, Terrence was enrolled in the Mount Airy Cultural Center, where he studied harmony & theory under Tony Williams and Joe Stevenson. He also had in-depth saxophone studies with Tommy Grice.

In his junior year, he had engaged in private studies with Bob Howell and just before his senior year in high school, he was awarded a full scholarship to a jazz camp held at Cheyney University, headed by Terrell Stafford (a phenomenal trumpet player and professor). It was there that he learned that he was a rather small fish in a very big ocean. Despite his hesitations, he successfully made it through, and received the Living Jazz Organization Award for Musical Growth. Brown then went on to graduate from Penn Wood High School as the top saxophonist of his class in 1997, leading his section in all categories. It was also during that same time (same year) that he was awarded the Duke Ellington Jazz Award and completed the Mount Airy Cultural Center program.

Terrence Brown began his professional music career in 1998 when he joined the Collective Voices Saxophone Ensemble, headed by Odean Pope. The Collective was not only a working band but also a type of conservatory that instilled a depth of musical knowledge in the rising star. It was here that he learned all the advance theoretical concepts that allowed him to put all the pieces together.

The following year he attended Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina; his two main mentors being Robert James, and Vernon Lewis. It was through them that Brown honed his arranging and composition skills, as well as his classical technique. In 2002, he returned to Philadelphia and enrolled in the Community College of Philadelphia, were he studied with Larry McKenna (Philly Legend), at the same time, maintaining a steady roster of students while teaching at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts.

In his relatively short career he is already known as one of the best saxophonists in Philadelphia. He has performed with such greats as Benny Golson, Michael Brecker, Max Roach, James Carter, Eddie Green, Mickey Rooker, Joe Lovano, Carl Grubbs and in 2003, he began playing with the Denise King Quintet (one of the hardest working women in Philly).

Terrence currently resides in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, where he regularly performs with the Odean Pope Saxophone Choir as well as various other artists in the area; taking time out to play with the Millennium 4 Big Band (a band comprised of the best young talent in Philly). He has recently married the love of his life and is most fortunate to have been blessed with a healthy baby boy, who is now 4 years old.

Brown continues to teach at the Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts, and is currently working on a new project that blends the more popular styles such as neo soul, hip-hop, easy listening, pop, etc. Terrence has completed the single release “G’s On It” from his forthcoming album. This project promises to be the foundation of his musical journey, keep an eye out for it in stores near you.