NORMAN BROWN

By Brian Soergel

Three years into his annual Summer Storm tour, Norman Brown says the multi-artist ensemble he created is a big hit with both fans and promoters. “Promoters buying packages like this because it gives them more bang for the buck,” the Grammy award-winning guitarist said. “Some of my hardcore fans say they're not seeing enough of myself, but it really is a good package because it gives people an opportunity to see artists they might not normally see. It's a dynamite tour.”

This year's version includes stops this month at the Fifth Annual BB Jazz Festival in Huntington Beach, California (Sept. 8), the 31st annual Russian River Jazz Festival in Guerneville, California (Sept. 9), and the Margarita Scottsdale Music Fest in Scottsdale, Arizona (Sept. 22).

In addition to Brown, of course, Summer Storm will offer vocalist Peabo Bryson, who appeared with the guitarist on the first version of the tour in 2005. Making their debuts this year will be saxophonist Marion Meadows and keyboardist Jeff Lorber. Brown said he feels fortunate to nab both Meadows and Lorber for the summer because package tours are also proving to be increasingly popular with artists as well.

Meadows, with his sexy sax style, is a perfect fit. And Brown said he especially wanted Lorber on stage since, in addition to being one of the top keyboardists around, he is also experienced as a musical director on tours such as Groovin' for Grover.

“I always want to give the fans a little bit more,” said the Kansas City, Kansas, native, who now lives in Southern California's San Fernando Valley. “And it gives me a chance to work with artists who I really admire. This combination you won't really get in one solo show. So the fans get to see us doing our own thing and also performing together.”

Brown himself will have plenty of new material to offer his fans, as he released his seventh solo album, Stay With Me, in April. This Peak Records release is his first for the record label co-founded by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons and it also became Brown's first CD to make it to the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. Not only that, but it debuted at No. 1, which speaks to the guitarist's large fan base and increasing popularity with each project. The CD already has spawned a No. 1 smooth jazz hit, “Let's Take a Ride.”...

The complete story can be found in the September edition of Smooth Jazz News.Click here to subscribe today. Receive 11 editions of Smooth Jazz News per year, mailed monthly (February through December), for $35.