Rich Brown has been an active member of Toronto’s culturally diverse music scene since 1992. Known and respected by bassists the world over for his beautifully lyrical solos and phrasing, his heavy groove and incredible tone and touch, Rich cites influences such as Jaco Pastorius, Victor Bailey, Jimmy Haslip, and Alain Caron for fuelling his passion for bass at the age of 17. He has performed and recorded with some of the finest musicians in the world including jazz vocalist Carol Welsman, Jane Siberry, Glenn Lewis, Dapp Theory, Steve Coleman & Elements, James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, Vernon Reid, Andy Narrell, Bruce Cockburn, Marc Jordan, Kim Mitchell, and David Clayton Thomas (of Blood, Sweat, & Tears) to name a few.
Rich dabbles in the film industry and has appeared in the feature film “Glitter” starring Mariah Carey, the made for TV movie “The Natalie Cole Story” starring Natalie Cole, as well as the television series “Soul Food”.
Rich also leads two bands, rinsethealgorithm and The Abeng. rinsethealgorithm which was nominated for “Electric Group of the Year” three years in a row (’07, ’08, ’09) at the National Jazz Awards and won the Galaxie Rising Star prize in 2010. His most recent release entitled “The Abeng” was nominated for a 2016 Juno Award. He has appeared on over 60 recordings ranging from Jazz to Funk to Latin to traditional Asian and Arabic music.
Rich has 3 incredible solo releases to date which every bass player should have in their collection:
rinsethealgorithm – “Locutions”, (2008)
Rich Brown – “Between Heaviness and Here”, (2014)
Rich Brown – “Abeng”, (2016)
He’s also known for his work as an educator through his YouTube channel called “The Brown’stone”, and as a faculty member at The University of Toronto and Humber College. He is also a regular contributor with Low End Nation, No Treble, Bass Player Magazine and Scott’s Bass Lessons
Rich is an endorsing artist for Aguilar Amplification, Jim Dunlop Manufacturing and F Bass.
Rich Brown sat down with Low End Nation’s Cameron Dougall for our Skills to Pay the Bills course to talk about the more esoteric and elusive aspects of being a bass player, including pocket, groove, feel, musicianship, getting gigs and what he looks for in his bandmates. Below is a clip of the interview, the full interview is available as part of the Low End Nation Bass Lessons Monthly and Annual Memberships. You can sign up and start your free 7 Day trial here:
https://basslessons.lowendnation.com
Enjoyed this interview? Check out a clip of our interview and lesson shoot with Toronto session bassist Calvin Beale!
