An Inspired Chat with Christopher Brown of NE Portland

We recently had the chance to connect with Christopher Brown and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of each day are always exactly the same:

1) Drink bottle of water.
2) Stretch every part of my body that I can think of.
3) Five part ab workout.

Note: If I have/make the time, then either weight lifting or cardio will follow.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a 20 year veteran between the Marines and Army National Guard, I’m someone who has been on the same trajectory ever since I was 12 years old. And that path has been to become a significant contributor to the lifeblood and preservation of the multifaceted world of Jazz. So between 20 years in the military band field, 13 years working/performing within the greater NYC Jazz scene, two music degrees from Rutgers University (followed by a four year teaching appointment @ RU), international tours as a performer and clinician, with current employment within the Jazz department at Portland State University (PSU), as well as the leader of the Jazz division of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) in Portland–in addition to my regular performance and private instruction schedule–I’m proud of the number of bricks that I’ve been able to lay thus far for supporting this journey that I’ve been on for the past 36 years.

As I’ve continued on in my journey, I’ve become as committed to education as I am to performing. And two additional ways in which that has manifested is through a now defunct course that I co-created for the MBA Marketing track at PSU entitled “Business Innovation Through Jazz Improvisation,” and a monthly workshop called “Behind the Scene w/the the Christopher Brown Quartet,” where I imbue high school musicians from around Portland with all of the hard earned principles around music and professionalism that I learned during my tenure as a resident within the greater NYC area.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
On the 1st day of my time as an undergrad at Rutgers University I encountered a man named William Fielder. And the first question he asked me (even before my name) was what the definition of Jazz was. And after flailing with canned responses that I knew I couldn’t fully defend if really pressed to do so, he asked this very poignant question:

“If you don’t know how to talk about it, how do you now if you’ve even been doing it?”

And it was in that moment that I first began to understand the implications of how clarity (or lack thereof) can be the defining factor between those who are in the driver’s seat of their life vs those who are in the passenger seat.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
The shift happened when I learned how effective of a teaching instrument it could become. Through teaching I’ve learned that people are more willing to listen to you, as well as be led by you, when you’re able to teach from your triumphs as opposed to just your struggles. After all, the concept of triumphs are that you’ve overcome obstacles. Therefore, when you share those kinds of stories with others, you present them with not just a blueprint for how to overcome their own obstacles, but you provide them with a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe that the principles inherent in great Jazz can greatly improve all facets of ones personal and professional life.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m learning something that I didn’t know before about any aspect of music.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Andrew Wallner
Geff Zamor

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