Norman Brown

Name: Norman Brown
Start: 2025-09-07T19:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-09-07T20:15:00-07:00
Location: Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square

Schedule

Sun Sep 07 2025 at 07:00 pm to 08:15 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square | Oakland, CA

Music is a language, it speaks to the invisible part of us that moves the physical part of us,” declares the charismatic, introspective, and deeply spiritual Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown. The multi-platinum selling and chart-topping guitar guru has been thrilling international audiences for over four decades with his jaw-dropping virtuosity, soul-stirring performances, and gravity-defying technique. The exultation that emanates from his riveting performances is hard to resist. It is no surprise that the iconic George Benson calls Norman Brown, “one of the greatest and most articulate guitarists out there.” A musician’s musician, Brown has collaborated with George Benson as well as countless others including Dave Koz, Brian McKnight, Kirk Whalum, Miki Howard, Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson, and Chanté Moore. March 29, 2024, Norman Brown’s fourteenth and anticipated release as a leader, It Hits Different, will be released on Shanachie Entertainment. Norman Brown is one of the busiest touring artists on the contemporary Jazz scene. As a long-time practitioner of meditation and Tai Chi he says that “balance” is central to his daily existence. He adds that actively “practicing positive mental and physical habits and working on spiritual cultivation,” keep him on the right path.
It Hits Different, is a collection of eleven invigorating originals that transport you on a fantastic voyage and that seamlessly unite the best elements of Jazz, R&B, Pop, Blues, and beyond. Brown shares, “I've put a great amount of time, energy and focus into developing my gift of channeling a heavenly sound that strikes the spirit, moves emotions and makes you feel good.” His intent for his latest project was to ensure that the music connects with his fans (affectionately dubbed “Normantics”) and “hits different” from his previous recordings. “The music on this album expands my personality and artistic expression and it reveals additional elements of my character,” confides Norman. Some of the highlights on It Hits Different include the lead single and opening track “Anything,” which is steadily climbing the radio charts. The song’s intoxicating buttery soul riffs, sweet melodious and singable melody, and feel-good groove, instantly strike you. Also included on the recording is the hypnotic “Asur,” driven by the funky undercurrent of Lil' John Roberts’ (Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Prince) drum grooves which ride sublimely alongside Norman’s soulful guitar runs. An integral part of Norman’s artistry is this devotion to his faith and the principals of Maat, the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, harmony, morality, and justice. He explains that “‘Ausur,’ is the first law of God which is God on earth, man's highest form spiritually.”