BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:iCalendar-Ruby BEGIN:VEVENT CATEGORIES: DESCRIPTION:“One of the greatest and most articulate guitarists out there.” — George Benson\n\n‘Music is a language\, it speaks to the invisible part of us that moves the physical part of us\,” declares the charismatic\, intr ospective\, and deeply spiritual Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown. The multi-platinum selling and chart-topping guitar guru has been thrilling in ternational audiences for over four decades with his jaw- dropping virtuosi ty\, soul-stirring performances\, and gravity-defying technique. The exulta tion 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 incl uding 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 hi m on the right path.\n\nIt Hits Different\, is collection of eleven invigor ating originals that transport you on a fantastic voyage and that seamlessl y unite the best elements of Jazz\, R&B\, Pop\, Blues\, and beyond. Brown s hares\, “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 emo tions and makes you feel good.” His intent for his latest project was to en sure that the music connects with his fans (affectionately dubbed “Normanti cs”) and “hits different” from his previous recordings. “The music on this album expands my personality and artistic expression and it reveals additio nal elements of my character\,” confides Norman. Some of the highlights on It Hits Different include the lead single and opening track “Anything\,” wh ich is steadily climbing the radio charts. The song’s intoxicating buttery soul riffs\, sweet melodious and singable melody\, and feel-good groove\, i nstantly strike you. Also included on the recording is the hypnotic “Asur\, ” driven by the funky undercurrent of Lil’ John Roberts’ (Quincy Jones\, St evie 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\, moral ity\, and justice. He explains that “‘Ausur\,’ is the first law of God whic h is God on earth\, man's highest form spiritually.”\n\nThe composition “St rollin’” featuring Tom Schuman\, the legendary keyboardist from Spyro Gyra\ , is another gem and a prime example of Norman’s keen ability to conjure th e perfect sonic oasis and respite from the frenzy of the world. “Chicken Sh ack\,” is a burnin’ and jubilant soul-jazz number with a blazing horn secti on\, that showcases Norman’s flawless\, funky\, and mesmerizing soloing. “I love ‘Chicken Shack\,’” says Norman. “This was extremely fun to record. It was inspired by a memory of a visit with my grandmother in the country.” O n the sultry “To Forever\,” Norman makes his guitar sing with his laid-back groove and crisp R&B licks that rock back and forth to the vocals of singe r James Champion. The album’s title track is a shining up-tempo tune which encapsulates the feeling of knowing when you have found the right person\, at the right time\, and you know this time it’s different. It features the vocals of the multi-talented Wirlie Morris who co-wrote the song. Morris ha s collaborated with everyone from Charlie Wilson\, Boys II Men\, Johnny Gil l and Keith Sweat\, among numerous others. Norman and Wirlie first collabor ated on Norman’s West Coast Coolin’ recording in 2002. They both longed to collaborate again. “Our magical forces reconnected when I heard someone yel ling my name at a bank in Georgia in 2019 and it was Wirlie Morris\,” laugh s Norman. “It turned out that he lives five minutes from me. Wirlie made a small background appearance on my CD Let's Get Away but this time I wanted the world to hear his dynamic lead vocals.”\n\nConnection is the heart of N orman Brown’s music. When he is performing\, he taps into a higher frequenc y and thrives in a space where he is the music\, and the guitar is simply a n extension of himself. There is a joy that emanates from him that is almos t palpable. In return\, his desire is to pass this on to his fans and to ma ke a lasting connection. “I wish to be of service to my fellow men\,” expla ins the Soul Train Music award winner. “I look upon my work as an opportuni ty to be overcome with joy and I want to inspire others to search inside th emselves for the silver lining. We all have an opportunity to grow in grati tude for our lives and the blessings we have.”\n\nThe Atlanta-based musicia n’s love affair with the guitar began at age eight. Watching his older brot her play\, Norman was drawn to the energy radiating from what he now calls his “Spirit Catcher\,” the strings on the guitar. Waiting for his brother R oy Brown Jr.\, “Popsicle” to leave\, Norman couldn’t wait to get his hands on his six string carefully stored in the closet. Born in Shreveport\, LA\, and raised in Kansas City\, KS Norman Brown has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare in this business. Never one to rest on his laurels\, he state s\, “I always remind myself that success lies within my own brain. To expec t difficulties and to force my way through them. To avoid procrastination i n all its forms and to never\, under any circumstances put off until tomorr ow any duties that should be performed today.” It is these virtues that kee p Brown on his astonishing evolution. A graduate of the Musician’s Institut e in North Hollywood\, Norman Brown would go on to teach at the school unti l he landed his first deal\, as the flagship artist on Motown’s Mojazz labe l.\n\nIn 1992\, Brown recorded the albums Just Between Us\, the Gold sellin g and Soul Train award-winning After The Storm and Better Days Ahead. Havin g recorded a string of successful albums including 1999’s Celebration (in w hich he teamed up with Paul Brown)\, 2002’s Just Chillin’ (featuring vocali sts Michael McDonald\, Miki Howard\, and Chanté Moore) scored a Grammy. The same year\, Brown joined forces with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and trumpeter Rick Braun forming the group BWB\, recording their debut album Groovin’. I n 2013 they released Human Nature\, a tribute album to Michael Jackson\, wh ich was followed by their third collaboration BWB in 2016. Brown continued a trail of critically heralded albums including West Coast Coolin’ (2004)\, Stay With Me (2007)\, Sending My Love (2010)\, and Grammy-nominated 24/7 w ith saxophonist Gerald Albright. 2017 saw the release of Norman Brown’s ant icipated and well-received Shanachie debut\, Let It Go. Brown’s recording T he Highest Act Of Love followed in 2019\, Heart To Heart in 2020 and Let’s Get Away in 2022 (all on Shanachie).\n\nAside from making quality music for music’s sake\, Norman Brown’s greatest goal is to bring people together. H e concludes the goal is to achieve\, “A life united in harmony in the state of a joyful peace.” Get ready to experience Norman Brown’s latest masterpi ece\, he hopes for you It Hits Different. DTEND:20250517T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260413T201103Z DTSTART:20250517T180000Z GEO:37.605993;-77.570484 LOCATION:The Tin Pan SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:Norman Brown at The Tin Pan UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_48170386203250 URL:http://calendar.richmondcultureworks.org/event/norman-brown-at-the-tin- pan END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR