Chills traveled across my skin as I prepared to interview my first interviewee this morning. Legendary Nat Brown agreed to open his life to Modern Day Black Momma Records. What an honor it was to chat with this hidden treasure within the Sacramento, California region. A voice filled with romance that will make you feel like walking on beach sand, soul that will remind you of home, and the sound of pop music that will make your booty move. Nat Brown has contributed his unique vocals and instruments to greats such as Ike and Tina Turner, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Etta James, Lou Rawls, The Coasters and many more. Learn more about Nat Brown as I take you on a short journey into the life of a legend, the life of a hidden treasure. THE INTERVIEW (telephone interview took place online while texting over Facebook) (Preparing for the interview) (Felice speaking to Janet Brown, wife of Nat Brown) "SHOW BEGINS IN 22 MINUTES: Grammy Nominated, Legendary Nat Brown." "Countdown...10, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1..." Felice: "Please welcome grammy nominated Nat Brown!" "Good morning Brown! Did you have your coffee yet?" Nat Brown: "Yes, and along with my Slimfast!" Felice Bois: "Slimfast! Now wonder you are in great shape. I was wondering what was your secret!" Nat Brown: "I'm just trying to lose a couple of pounds, that's all." Felice Bois: "Doesn't look like you need to...let's get right into the interview shall we?" Nat Brown: "Sounds good to me." Felice Bois: "You were nominated for a Grammy in 2007 correct?" Nat Brown: "Yes, i was. It was in the category of Rand B." Felice Bois: "Where's my grammy? I'm still waiting for my grammy! "But, I guess I need history like you?" Felice Bois: "So, where are you originally from Mr. Brown?" Nat Brown: "I am originally from St. Louis, Mo. But I've lived in LA and San Jose. I played a lot of music in LA" Felice Bois: "How long have you been a jazz musician?" Nat Brown: "I am not a jazz musician per se, but I do play some jazz. My favorite jazz artists are David Fathead Nueman, and Miles davis, and Cannonball, and Coltrane. I am more of a vocalist ." Felice Bois: "I'm back...internet issues...freeze ups..." Nat Brown: "o k." Felice Bois: "I see... according to your website, you play a mix of R&B, soul and pop music. What a wonderful combination of music! My first impression when I see an artist with an instrument like yours is to assume they are jazz artist. What type of instruments do you normally use when making your music? And, do you consider your style unique?" Nat Brown: "I normally use a keyboard, drums, guitars, and my sax. I also use a backup vocalist. I think that my style is unique because lyrics are very important and the audience needs to know what you a re saying in the song or they will miss the story line, especially when i am doing remantic songs. You sing as if you are singing the song to the person who is directly listening." Felice Bois: "Is your musical background self-taught or formal?" Nat Brown: "It is mostly self taught. I got my basic trianing at the Missouri School for the Blind. My sax teacher was also blind and he wanted to know if I wanted to learn music by Braille and I said no because that was too slow." Felice Bois: "Let's shift a little bit...you mentioned earlier that jazz artists like Miles Davis, Cannonball and Coltrane are some of your favorite artist. How have these artists inspired your musical journey and unique style?" Felice Bois: "How many albums have you completed? And, did you write and produce your own music?" Nat Brown: "Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls and Brook Benton had more of an influence than the ones memtioned on me. I like to use some of their'riffs' on some of my tunes or basically I just play them when I'm in the groove. They are great musicians." Nat Brown: "I have produced 6 CDs and one more is in the works. Some of the songs are originals and one is written with a friend-the First Day In Love CD. Even though I didn't write most of the songs, the musicial arrangements are my own." Felice Bois: "Wow! Six CDs, that's a great achievement." "Do you feel like your music heals, inspires people to pursue thier own journey in life? And, of the six CDs, which is your favorite?" Nat Brown: "My music tends to touch people in a way that really makes me feel that I am bringing back memories for them. I consider my self a 'smooth' singer and I really enjoy the slower romantic songs. I tend to gravitate to this type of music when I choose it. My favorite CD is the one tha t is in the works-Somewhere In Time." Felice Bois: "Somewhere In Time! I can't wait to hear it! I love romantic music...even though I don't need it now, romantic music always has a place in someones heart." Felice Bois: "As a new Spoken Word artist, I am a little unsure about caliborating with other artist; do you prefer solo work or duets? Or, does it even matter?" Felice Bois: "The recording studio. How do prepare before you record?" Felice Bois: "Do you have a cup of coffee, juice, meditation or prayer before you begin?" Nat Brown: "I prefer to work alone. although in the past I've worked with other artists. As far as recording is concerned I don't feel that you can be as creative as you can although other artists have collabarated and done well. If you work on your own, then you have more control on the final outcome." Nat Brown: "Practice, practice, practice! I always pray before I start." Felice Bois: "I agree! I'm still learning how to prepare. Seems like I have flip over backwards twenty times until I get it right! Whatever works! The show must go on!" Felice Bois: "Have you worked with any famous artists like yoursef? If, so tell us what brought you together." Nat Brown: "I was Ike Turner's sax player during my high school years. I did some one nighter's with Jackie Wilson, Little richard,l Etta James, Lou Rawls, the Coasters and many others in Los Angeles. At the time when the group that I played with would be performing it wasn't unusual for these people to drop in the club and perform sometimes an entire set ... See Morewith us because they would hear bout us and they would come and check us out. It was great. I played with a group of guys called The Handicappers and we were well known in the Los Angeles club circuit." Felice Bois: (Mouth wiiiiide open, jaw dropping)...."Nooo way!!! Theee Ike Turner...Tina Turner's ex-husband?? You mean the Ike Turner that made Tina Turner famous? You go Mr. Brown! I guess the late Mr. Ike Turner should attribute part of his success to you too, (still jaw dropping :0)) Okay, Jackie Wilson, Little Richard -- one of the greatest ... Seen more entertainers in the world?!! Etta James?? I'm speechless...okay, let me fix my chair 'cause I speaking to history," (clearing my throat still...) " Felice Bois: "What...serious credit they owe you Mr. Brown! "One more question, what did you do with little Richard?" Nat Brown: "Just backed him up. Our group was so tight that when these artists came in we knew all of their tunes and they felt comfortable working with us. Our group was known as the HouseWreakers because we could bring the house down. People would line up out side the door because at 9 pm the building was filled to capacity and others weren't allowed ... See Moreinside. It wasn't unusual for us to play a tune for 10 minutes. Nobody had to worry about their weight then, because after one of our songs you could sweat off a good pound. It was a lot of fun." Felice Bois: "Wow, I would have loved to dance to some of those tunes back then. I feel like I'm in a movie (Listening to Mr. Brown singing in the back ground...Mrs. Brown is chuckling very shyly :0)." Felice Bois: "I'm going to meditate a little bit on this interview once over. I feel honored to interview such a talented gift we have on this earth. A voice with wings that covers his audience with a graceful sound." (Emotional...) Felice Bois: "Mr. Brown, over last three years I seen your wife Janet side by side with you. And, sometimes your son Roger; how do attrtibute your success as an musician to these two people?" Felice Bois: "While I'm waiting for their response, Mr. and Mrs. Brown sounds like they are in love! Much chuckling going on between the two. Hmmm...romance is ageless!" Felice Bois: "I'm also on the speaker phone with the two as we comment on this (Facebook) post..." Nat Brown: "I'm hounded, harrassed!!! Just Kidding!!!! " "They are the greatest supporters in the world. My wife designs all of the CDs and she helps me choose a lot of my music. She sometimes acts as my 'engineer'. It's really amazing to see her do the sketches and send those ideas off to the art department at Discmakers. On the last cd, Smooth, Discmakers offered her a job in the graphics dept. She told them she had a 'real' job at the time, but thanks anyway." Felice Bois: "Ooooh! You go Mrs. Brown! Tell'em like it is..." Felice Bois: "In closing, we all have a calling or life journey, some people have hobbies. If you couldn't share your unique passion of music, what would be a second career choice?" Felice Bois: "Do you play locally? Tell us where we can buy your music and when we can watch a live performance." Felice Bois: "Is there anything you would like to share with your audience?" Nat Brown: "I'm a clinical psychologist and I love to help people work on their issues. I really loved working in the correctional institutions with the inmates. I feel that I helped a few of them. I have a PHd in Clinical, and a Masters in rehahab. counseling." Nat Brown: "There is a live performance on UTube and you can buy my CDs on cdbaby.com , Rhapsody, iTunes.com, and CDnow. almost any of the music sites. I'm not playing locally yet, at least not here in Sacramento. I do a lot of private gigs at some of the country clubs around here." Felice Bois: "A clinical pscyhologist? And, a Masters degree in rehab counseling? What a way to contribute to society. Your music heals and you have a spirit and mind that enourages our troubled society. Thank you for that." Nat Brown: "Thanks so much for the interview. It was cool. Hope its O K.Nat and Janet...( Janet did the typing. I'm a much better speller than she is! Just kidding! [ Nat Brown speaking])" Felice Bois: "Okay, I'm back...internet connection delay (sipping grape juice...)." Felice Bois: "Well, I want to thank you Mr. Brown for taking the time out to share your musical background. I've learned something new about you I never knew. Very exciting and empowering. Let's do a duet together!! Sike, I can't sing!" Here's Nat Brown's fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nat-Brown/80016418042?ref=ts. Comment on this article ~Felice Bois CEO/Producer/Entertainment Journalist Copyrights, Modern Day Black Momma Records, 2009. August 4, 2009 http://www.moderndayblackmomma.com THIS ARTICLE IS THE PROPERTY OF KINDRED CULTURE, INC,. THE CONTENTS OF THIS ARTICLE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, SOLD, COPIED OR USED FOR ANY REASON WITHOUT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF MODERN DAY BLACK MOMMA RECORDS AND ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE LAWS. |
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