University of Calgary

Jeremy Brown

  • Professor

Research Interests

In the news

Biography 2021

Jeremy Brown is an award-winning saxophonist, teacher, composer, author and conductor who lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is Professor of Music at the University of Calgary (1990-present) and performs as a jazz, classical and free improviser, primarily on the saxophone.  He is also a woodwind doubler and performs as a flautist, clarinetist, and penny whistle.  At the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts, he has been a conductor of the wind bands and the jazz bands. Dr.Brown teaches courses in improvisation, instrumental music education and SoTL, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.  He is in his twenty-third year as conductor of the Calgary Wind Symphony.  He was the saxophone soloist with the National Youth Band of Canada in 2015, sponsored by Yamaha Canada, and again as conductor/artistic director in 2017, an unprecedented double invitation. He was founding Artistic Director and conductor of the National Concert Band of Canada, 2002-2010, an auditioned youth band of students from across Canada. He has been the Artistic Director and conductor of the Calgary Wind Symphony for 23 years, a 60-member wind band founded in 1955.  

As Director of The UCalgary Saxophone Ensemble, his students gave world premieres of works by Jordan Nobles and Laurie Radford at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, Arizona, U.S.A. He also recently recorded a Jazz Y.Y.C. featured at the 2020 Jazz Y.Y.C. Jazz Festival found at (https://youtu.be/WfVL81Gep54). In February 2021, he was selected to be a performer at the International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy. https://www.saxophonepedagogyandperformance.com/p/program.html

As an author, he has written numerous pedagogical articles for The Instrumentalist magazine, among many other periodicals. His recent book The Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell (Routledge Press, 2018) includes definitive recordings of Cowell's band music with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's winds, conducted by Dr. Brown.  He was series editor and lead compiler of the inaugural Royal Conservatory of Music Saxophone Series (Frederick Harris Music, 2014), a multi-volume saxophone anthology with graded repertoire, etudes, technical studies and orchestral excerpts.

His recording of Wayfaring (2014) by Nova Pon was nominated as the Outstanding Classical composition of 2015 by the Western Canadian Music Awards. In 2010, his solo recording of Canadian solo and chamber music for saxophone, "Rubbing Stone," was nominated outstanding classical record of the year by the Western Canadian Music Awards. In 2017, he was nominated for the Student's Union Teaching Award, an award he won in 1999. In 2014 he was awarded the inaugural University of Calgary Teaching Award by the Faculty of Arts.  In 2009 he was recognized at Southam Hall in Ottawa as a "Canadian Music Ambassador" by the Canadian Music Centre to commission and perform music by Canadian composers, with about sixty works commissioned.  In 2008, he was named one of five "Innovators of the University of Calgary" for his volunteer/community outreach with the Salvation Army. In 2007 was awarded the David Peterkin Award for his contribution to music education in Alberta by the Alberta Band Association.  Currently he is a board member for the Alberta Band Association and Jazz YYC.

As a university teacher, his undergraduate and graduate students have won numerous national and international awards, scholarships and recognition.  His university ensembles have been widely recognized for original programming and performing excellence; most recently, the UCalgary Jazz Orchestra won the Outstanding Ensemble Award at the 2013 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and ten outstanding soloist awards at the 2014 Elmhurst Jazz Festival, Chicago, Illinois and numerous soloist awards at the 2018 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  Jeremy Brown also attended the Band Director's Academy at the Lincoln Center (New York) in 2014.

As an improviser, he has worked with numerous free music specialists, including English saxophonist John Butcher, Montreal composer Chantale Laplante, Toronto pianist Marilyn Lerner, and Joe Morris over several months in Calgary as a Killam Scholar. Morris and Brown recorded an album to be released in 2021, Magnitudes, on the Polish record label Fundacja Sluchal.

He has recorded numerous records, including Scaramouche with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (2003, C.B.C. records) In the Company of My Soul (2003, Arktos Label), Ornamentology (lightblue records), Rubbing Stone(2010, Centredisc Label), The Lethbridge Sessions (2014, Centredisc Label) Music for Soup (2015) and Verismo Jazz Quintet (2005).  His latest recording is with American tenor saxophonist Jack Wilkins, a Fulbright scholar at UCalgary in 2018 who was in residence with Jeremy Brown. It will be released on the Chronograph record label in 2021, featuring original compositions by Wilkins and Brown.

As a composer, his works are a mix of classical and jazz elements and have been performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, are published (dorn.pub.com) and are found on Spotify (Verismo). Upcoming releases that include his music are on Chronograph records with Jack Wilkins (“Belgium Blues”) and his improvisations are on Magnitudes, on Fundacja Sluchal records. Several of his new works were premiered in Calgary in 2019 by the Jeremy Brown Collective, his new music band. 

As a saxophone soloist, he has appeared with many bands and orchestras, including the Washington-Idaho Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Red Deer Symphony, Festival Orchestra of the 2003 World Saxophone Congress (Minneapolis), the Okanogan Symphony Orchestra, Kensington Sinfonia, the Calgary Civic Symphony, Calgary Youth Orchestra and the Ottawa Symphony.  He is also a lead tenor saxophonist with the Calgary Jazz Orchestra and regularly performs with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as a jazz and classical soloist, and has been saxophonist with the CPO since 1993.

He is the Rubbing Stone Ensemble's founding Artistic Director and recorded the “Lethbridge Sessions” (Centrediscs) in 2014 with this ensemble.  As the Calgary Wind Symphony's Artistic Director and Conductorthe group has toured Europe twice, performing at the Mid-European Conference. The C.W.S. performs four major concerts a year and has commissioned and premiered numerous new works for wind band, including the Canadian premiere of Slipstream by Juno-award-winning composers Jordan Nobles world premiere of Flat Out Covering Ground by Allan Bell. In 2003, he co-founded Verismo, a Calgary jazz quintet whose inaugural recording garnered great critical acclaim and subsequently performed at the 2007 Montreal Jazz Festival.

                         

Research 2021

Selected Awards, Public Profiles and Research Showcases

 

2021

Selected to perform at the International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy.  (Florida, U.S.A.) U.S.A. premiere of Momentum (2018) by David Eagle.

 

Hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region Nine Conference at The University of Calgary, March 18-20.  One hundred twenty attendees from across the U.S.A. and Canada.  All of the UCalgary saxophone studios performed as soloists.  I performed Dusk by Vincent Ho, a world premiere.

 

A 6000-word book chapter to the Jazz Educators Network for inclusion in a forthcoming book on jazz and gender. (In Press)

 

Guest speaker/lecturer on the Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell for the University of Florida Conducting Symposium, January 21-22.

 

2020

The University of Calgary Saxophone Ensemble (comprised of eight U.C. students) performed at the 2020 American Biennial Saxophone Conference (NASA) at Arizona State University and performed two world premieres Laurie Radford and Jordan Nobles.

 

Presented a paper at the 2020 College Music Society National Conference, "Jazz Patronage:  The Creation of Opportunity in Jazz Music."

 

(March 2020) Guest artist at Washington State University in a concerto performance with the wind ensemble and symphonic band.  Present saxophone lessons and masterclasses.  Cancelled due to pandemic and rescheduled for April 2022.

 

(August 2020) Two-week Korean tour as guest soloist/artist with the Washington State University Wind Ensemble in the concerto Rush by Kenneth Fuchs.  It was cancelled due to the pandemic.

 

 

2019

Woodwind doubler (Reed one) Billy Elliott for Theatre Calgary. 2019 marks the 25th year I have been performing with Theatre Calgary. Thirty-six shows over six weeks in April/May.

 

Saxophone soloist on the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by Malcolm Forsyth for the UCalgary/Canadian Music Centre celebration of his music.

 

Saxophonist with Jack Wilkins and pianist Per Danielsson at the International College Music Society Conference, Belgium, in a jazz program for two saxophones and piano.

 

Recorded a record of original and arranged jazz compositions with Jack Wilkins, to be released on Chronograph Records in 2021.

 

Guest artist at the Tanglewood Institute, Lenox, Massachusettes. Performed a short program and presented a masterclass.

 

Solo performer with the UCalgary Saxophone Ensemble for the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Ed McCauley, President of the University of Calgary. Allan Bell wrote a new work specifically for this concert, "Taking the High Road," for eight saxophones and soloist.

 

Free improvisation recording session with Joe Morris for a new recording in Boston, Massachusettes

 

2018   

 

Host for Fulbright Scholar Jack Wilkins, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida. Sponsored by the University of Calgary.

            

"Jeremy Brown Collective," debut concert on the UCalgary Monday Night Jazz Series. (December 3) A debut performance of improvised music, as well as jazz compositions by local jazz artists and several new works by me; "Euphon," "Rigor of Smoke" and "Pacific Time" are an amalgam of different influence,s including jazz, classical, rock and folk and were scored for combinations of piano, drums, bass, violin, saxophone and flute.

 

University of Florida, Gainseville.  Hosted by Professors Jonathan Helton and Director of Bands David Waybright, on September 24, I was a visiting artist at the U.F. where I presented a lecture on the wind band music of Henry Cowell to the graduate conducting students. I also was a guest to observe the U.F. Symphonic Winds in rehearsal and presented a saxophone masterclass to the saxophone studio.

 

Residency, masterclass and solo performance at The University of South Florida. Hosted by Professors Jack Wilkins and Matt McCutchen, I performed the Kenneth Fuchs Rush for alto saxophone with the S.F.U. Wind Ensemble (September 30) and presented a graduate conducting seminar on the wind band music of Henry Cowell.

 

Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Lenox, Massachusetts. I was an invited performer on a recital with Dr. Kenneth Radnofsky (New England Conservatory) June 19-20 and hosted a masterclass for the saxophone class. Performed the Lauba Balafon for solo saxophone with an improvised piece on the penny whistle.

 

School of Creative and Performing Arts, February 6-17. Director of the school, Bruce Barton, directed "Conduct" based on the subject of my recent book, The Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell, in a large-scale interdisciplinary project. It featured dozens of students in drama, dance, and music in the SCPA, with dramatic sketches based on Henry Cowell and his friend Percy Grainger.  I was a free improvisation performer and composer with the production. The music included the world premiere of 58 for Percy by Henry Cowell.

 

2017   

Conductor of the 2017 National Youth Band of Canada. Fifty-four students from eight Canadian provinces with performances in Vancouver and Whistler B.C. for 4000. I commissioned Allan Bell to compose a new work for the N.Y.B. I am the only performing artist to be both soloist (saxophone, 2015) and conductor (2017) of Canada's National Youth Band.

 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Director of Bands Michael Haithcock invited me to lecture on the wind band music of Henry Cowell at his graduate conducting seminar, March 14.

 

Guest performer at the University of Windsor Noiseborder Music Festival, performer on Haddinjar of Brent Lee and several other free improvisation works. I was also solo recitalist and performed the Maurice Tableaux de Provence, Milhaud Scaramouche, Lauba Balafon and a free improvisation and jazz tune. March 15-18.

 

I was the UCalgary host for a visiting guest scholar, sponsored by the Killam Foundation; the $50,000 Killam Fellowship supported New England Conservatory faculty member Joe Morris to spend three months (January-April) in Calgary.  I worked with him nearly daily on free music and other projects, including a 45-minute performance at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference at the University of Alberta and a recording session.

 

Nominated for a UCalgary Student's Union Teaching Award.

 

2016   

I was the woodwind doubler of the world premiere of a new musical commissioned by Theatre Calgary. The Little Prince, by Lloyd Webber. Saxophone, clarinet, flute and piccolo. February-March.

 

Jazz Educators Network, Louisville, Kentucky.  I presented a paper on woodwind doubling at the 2016 J.E.N. conference.

 

The Sonorous Saxophone featured soloist in a faculty series concert that featured commissioned and new compositions for saxophone.  Haddinjar, for piano, violin, percussion and saxophone, I commissioned from Brent Lee with a composition award from the Ontario Arts Council. I also commissioned Robert Lemay to compose Jazz…hommage à Henri Matisse. We gave the world premiere, scored for tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and harp. I also gave the world premiere of a new version of The Orchid Garden (Concerto for Tenor Saxophone) (2015) by Andrew McDonald for tenor saxophone, with an original piano reduction composer.

 

2015   

Ottawa Symphony Orchestra at the National Arts Centre.  I was asked to give the world premiere performance of a new work for tenor saxophone and orchestra, essentially a jazz concerto with extensive written parts and improvisation. The Orchid Garden (2015) by Andrew McDonald was performed to a large audience.

 

The guest soloist on alto saxophone (sponsored by Yamaha Canada) with the 2015 National Youth Band of Canada. Fifty students from eight Canadian provinces with performances in the greater Toronto area. I am the only performing artist to be both soloist (saxophone, 2015) and conductor (2017) of Canada's National Youth Band.

 

Western Canadian Music Awards. Performance of Wayfaring by Nova Pon nominated for Outstanding Classical Composition of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards ceremony, Victoria B.C. I recorded the work on tenor saxophone on Centrediscs. Performed it with colleague Gianetta Baril (harp) at a gala concert for the WCMA.

 

Invited lecturer on the wind band music of Henry Cowell for the 2015 School of Creative and Performing Arts lecture series at the University of Calgary.

 

2014    University of Calgary Faculty of Arts, Teaching Award. The Faculty of Fine Arts awarded him the inaugural Outstanding Teaching Award for an established teacher.

 

2013    University of Calgary Jazz Orchestra named "Outstanding Ensemble" at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Moscow Idaho, after their performance.  Jeremy Brown, Director.

 

2010    *Rubbing Stone, a recording of new Canadian works for saxophone, piano and electroacoustic music.  Jeremy Brown, saxophones, Ami Longhi, piano and Rod Squance, percussion.  *Nominated for Outstanding Classical Recording of 2010 by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.

 

2009    Awarded the title Canadian Music Centre Ambassador by the Canadian Music Centre, Ottawa, Canada on the 50th Anniversary of the C.M.C. "Named as one of 50 outstanding Canadian Performers and conductors who has played exceptional roles in shaping the Canadian music scene and raising the profile of Canadian music."

 

2009    Juried winner of the Concerto Competition of the Region Nine North American Saxophone Alliance. 

 

2008    Celebrated as an Innovator of the University of Calgary for community development work with the Salvation Army. http://www.ucalgary.ca/innovators/brown

 

2007-2008    Campaign co-chairman, United Way Campaign for the University of Calgary.

 

2007 "David Peterkin Award" for Outstanding Contribution to Wind Band Music and Music Education, Alberta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu

 

2003-present     Great Teachers of the University of Calgary

    http://greatteachers.ucalgary.ca/person/dr_jeremy_s_brown

 

2002-2010    Artistic Director of the National Concert Band of Canada.

 

1999    University of Calgary Student's Union Teaching Excellence Award for the Faculty of Fine Arts

 

1990    Outstanding Graduate Student, School of Music, The Ohio State University.

 

1988-1990    University Fellowship, The Ohio State University.

 

Most Significant Research Contributions

 

Festschrift for Michael Budds, "The Influence of Patronage on Jazz Music in the 20th Century" (2019). This paper is in process and will be published by the College Music Society in 2021, In Press.

 

Selected to perform at the 2021 International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy.  (Florida, U.S.A.) U.S.A. premiere of Momentum (2018) by David Eagle.

 

A new record of free improvisation with Joe Morris, Momentum, was recorded in 2019.  To be released on the Fundacja Sluchal record label (Poland).  In Press.

 

The Wind Band Music of Henry Dixon Cowell, (Taylor and Francis Books, 2018) and Sourcebooks in American Music of the College Music Society. Three hundred eighty pages, numerous appendices, bibliography and discography.  Book and 75" compact disc recording of mostly unrecorded works of Cowell. The recording was done with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra wind section, thanks to an Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant, Jeremy Brown conducting. 

 

Royal Conservatory of Music Saxophone Syllabus and Saxophone Book Series, Toronto: Frederick Harris Music, 2014. It is the first such graded book series for saxophone on the planet.  It is an essential series in the continuing pedagogy of the saxophone. I was the lead compiler and also recorded much of the saxophone repertoire for the C.D.s.  Eleven books.

 

Saxophone soloist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, May 2013 and November 2015.  The Canadian concerto Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder by Kelly-Marie Murphy, and the world premiere performance of the Orchid Garden by Andrew MacDonald for tenor saxophone and orchestra, Southam Hall, National Arts Centre, Ottawa. Please see reviews in non-refereed contributions.

 

CINI Foundation Conference, San Giorgio Maggiore: Con la mente e con le mani:  Improvisation from ‘Cantare super Librum’ to Partimenti. Invited auditor for improvisation. Venice, Italy. 2013

 

The Lethbridge Sessions.  (CD recording) The debut recording by the Rubbing Stone Ensemble.  Centrediscs label, Canadian Music Centre. 2013. Several new commissioned Canadian works are included on this disc.  Wayfaring by Nova Pon was nominated as the Outstanding Canadian Classical Composition of the year, 2015.

 

Rubbing Stone. (CD recording) Jeremy Brown, saxophone and Ami Longhi, piano. Canadian Music Centre, Centrediscs label, 2009. He was nominated as Outstanding Classical Recording of 2009 by the Western Canadian Music Awards. It is a big honour to have your creative work selected as outstanding. This CD of newly commissioned Canadian works helps to solidify a Canadian tradition of music composition.

 

Scaramouche. Saxophone Soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra of the concerto Scaramouche, conducted by Hans Graf. (2002, CBC records). This recording achieved considerable international airplay and a glowing review in the American Record Guide: "Saxophone soloist Jeremy Brown's creamy smoothness, graceful elegance, and singing tone are ideally suited to Milhaud's Scaramouche.  Maestro Graf offers such a jazzy and spirited orchestral backdrop that for once I did not miss the original two-piano scoring."

 

Academic Publications and Disciplinary Equivalents

 

“Lil Hardin Armstrong and Helen Joyner: The Forgotten Patrons of Jazz.” In Press. Book chapter, 6000 words for Jazz Educators Network scholarly publications.

 

"A Selected List and Annotated Description of Wind Works by Jewish-Canadian composers." Article in progress for submission to the 2019 Ontario Music Educators Conference. (Being revised)

 

 "The Influence of Patronage on Jazz Music in the 20th Century." In Press. Taylor and Francis.  A Festschrift for Michael Budds.

 

Calgary Wind Symphony. Artistic Director and conductor, concerts in 2017-18: Four subscription concerts with Holst, Grainger, and others' works.

 

"Jeremy Brown Collective" debut concert on the UCalgary Monday Night Jazz Series.

New works by Jeremy Brown "Euphony," "Rigor of Smoke," and "Pacific Time."

 

Featured clarinet soloist, original compositions and arrangements of Benny Goodman's music with the Calgary Jazz Orchestra. April 2017.

 

Artist-In-Residence, Noiseborder Music Festival, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, March 2017. Saxophone recital (works by Milhaud, Bach, Handel and Maurice), saxophone masterclass, and a concert as a performer with the Noiseborder Ensemble.

 

CD recording, Joe Morris, guitar (Killam visiting scholar) and Jeremy Brown. March 2017. Distribution on the Morris record label.

 

Calgary Wind Symphony. Artistic Director and conductor, concerts in 2016-2017: Four subscription concerts with works by Gorb, Ito, Grainger, Maslanka, Mozart, Benson, Rimsky-Korsakov, Gershwin, Murphy and others. October and December 2016, March and June 2017.

 

Saxophone Solo recital. "The Sonorous Saxophone" on the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts concert series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University of Calgary. Works by Lemay (world premiere), MacDonald, Brown, Ducharme, Radford (world premiere). October 2016.

 

"Woodwind Doubling Practice Strategies and Techniques for the Instrumental Music Teacher and Big Band Saxophone Section." Paper presented at the 2016 Jazz Educators Network Conference, Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Calgary Wind Symphony. Artistic Director and conductor, concerts in 2015-2016: Masterworks for Band, Sounds of the Solstice, Wine, Women and Song, Drums of the Dragon.

 

2016 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Calgary Alberta.  Saxophonist in a new work with electronic enhancements by David Eagle, saxophone, percussion and piano (and computer), June 1). Jazz and klezmer program (May 30).

 

A new CD recording of "Tufts and Brown," free improvisation for saxophone and percussion.  Pending.  Recording grant requested from the Alberta Foundation of the Arts. 2016.

 

Saxophone soloist, The Orchid Garden by Andrew MacDonald.   Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, November 15, 2015. Southam Hall, Ottawa, Ontario. (see review) World premiere performance.

 

Book chapter, Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz, Volume 2. Oye Como Va, by Tito Puente. G.I.A. Publications, 2015.  Jeremy Brown, author.

 

Guides to Band Masterworks, Volume V, Instructional Designs for Teaching Comprehensive Musicianship in Rehearsal and Performanceby David Kish.  Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.  Book review for the Canadian Winds.  2015.

 

A Composers Insight, Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band, Volume 5 by Timothy Salzman.  Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.  Book review for the Canadian Winds.  2014.

 

The Lethbridge Sessions.  The debut recording by the Rubbing Stone Ensemble.  Centrediscs label, Canadian Music Centre. 2013.

 

Score Rehearsal Preparation: A Realistic Approach for Instrumental Conductors, by Gary Stith.  Galesville, MD:  Meredith Music Publications. Book review for the Canadian Winds 2012.

 

The Music Teacher's First Year: Tales of Challenge, Joy and Triumph by Elizabeth Peterson.  Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.  Book review for the Canadian Winds.  2012.

 

Henry Dixon Cowell and the Genesis of Modern Wind Band Music.  Juried paper presented at the 2011 College Band Director's National Conference, Seattle Washington.

 

Lessons from a Street-Wise Professor: What You Won't Learn at Most Music Schools by Ramon Ricker.  Fairport, NY: Soundown Inc., 2011. Book review for the Canadian Winds.  2011.

 

Rubbing Stone.  CD recording of new works for solo saxophone, saxophone and piano and saxophone and electroacoustic music by Canadian composers.  Juried project supported by the Centre Disc record label, with funding by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Yamaha Canada and the University of Calgary.  September 2009. *Nominated for Outstanding Classical Recording of 2010 by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.

 

Ornamentology.  Baroque recording of six sonatas by J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel with Su Jeon, piano.  July 2009. lightblue records

 

Beat Niq.  A unique celebration CD recording of the Calgary Jazz Club 2009.  Jazz compositions Winter by Jeremy Brown, performed by Verismo Jazz Quintet.

 

"The National Concert Band of Canada (2001-2008):  The Philosophy, Repertoire, Soloists and Conductors of Canada's New Twenty-First Century Youth Band". International Society for the Investigation of Wind Music, Conference Papers of the 18th IGEB Conference, Echternach, Luxembourg.  2009.  

 

A Conductor's Interpretive Analysis of Masterworks for Band by Frederick Fennell. Meredith Music Publications, 2008.  Book review for the Canadian Winds.  2009.

 

The Creative Director, Conductor, Teacher, Leader by Edward S. Lisk.  Meredith Music Publications, 2006.  Book review for Canadian Winds.  2009

 

The Music Teaching Artist's Bible, Becoming a Virtuoso Educator, by Eric Booth

Oxford University Press, 2009.  Book review for polyphonic.org.  2009.

 

"Musique pour Saxophone Alto and Harmonie (1950)" By Serge Garant:  The First Canadian Composition for Saxophone and Wind Band." International Society for the Investigation of Wind Music, Conference Papers of the 17th IGEB Conference, Northfield, Minnesota, (2006) 

 

Verismo, CD recording by Jeremy Brown with John Hyde, John DeWaal, Derek Stoll and Pat Belliveau.  Original compositions Winter and Mountain Time are featured on the disc by Jeremy Brown.  August 2006.

 

Kongressberict, Oberwolz/Steiermark 2004.  Brown, Jeremy S. "The Grainger-Cowell Prison Dialogues and the Origins of Henry Cowell's Celtic Set (1938)" International Society for the Investigation of Wind Music, Conference Papers of the 16th IGEB Conference, Oberwolz, Austria, (2004) April 2006.  

 

Brown, Jeremy S.  Review: "Beginning Band Basics, Theory and Activity Workbooks for Band Students," Canadian Winds Vol. 3 No. 1 (Fall 2004) 36.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Prairie Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Piano." Dorn Publications 2004.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Improved Saxophone Intonation Through Altissimo Exercises," Canadian Winds Vol. 2 No. 1 (Autumn 2003)(Revised from Instrumentalist article of November 2000) 2003

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "The Amherst Saxophone Quartet on Musicality and Cooperation," Instrumentalist Vol. 57 No. 6 (January 2003)

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Music Festival Preparation:  Musical Rewards Should Triumph," Canadian Winds Vol. 1 No. 1 (Autumn 2002) 29-30.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Mark Camphouse Creates Music With the Passion of a Performer," Instrumentalist Vol. 55 No. 6 (January 2001) 12-15.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Performing Watchman, Tell Us with Camphouse on the Podium," Instrumentalist Vol. 55 No. 6 (January 2001) 16-18.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Improved Saxophone Intonation Through Altissimo Exercises," Instrumentalist Vol.55 No. 4 (November 2000) 49-54.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Improving Saxophone Intonation," Instrumentalist Vol. 54 No. 2 (September 1999) 36-44.

 

Brown, Jeremy S., Laudermilch "Suggested Repertoire for College Auditions," Instrumentalist Vol. 52 No. 15 (October 1998) 16-19.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Troublesome Saxophone Parts," Instrumentalist Vol. 52 No. 11 (June 1998).  26-38.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "An American Original:  The Published San Quentin Wind Band Works of Henry Cowell" Journal of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Vol. 4 1997.  59-88.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "A listing of Repertoire for Wind Band by Faculty of the Wind Conducting Diploma Program of Calgary, 1984-1996:  A Touchstone of Core Repertoire for the Wind Band" Canadian Band Journal Vol. 22 No. 2 (Winter 1997) 8, 23-25.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "A Short List of Canadian Band Literature" Canadian Band Journal Vol. 21 No. 3 (Spring 1997) 5, 6.

 

Brown, Jeremy S. "Henry Dixon Cowell and Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 1 for Symphonic Band (1944) Journal of Band Research Vol. 32 No.1 (Fall 1996

 

Significant Conference, Concert and Festival Performances

 

2017 North American Saxophone Alliance Region Nine Conference, Edmonton Alberta at the University of Alberta. Joe Morris and Jeremy Brown invited artists in a 45minute set of free music. (March 2017)

 

Woodwind specialist and orchestra performer, Theatre Calgary production of Crazy for You. Reed one book. (April-May 2017)

 

Woodwind soloist and orchestra player for Theatre Calgary production of "The Little Prince" (world premiere) by Julian Lloyd Webber. (January-February 2016)

 

Saxophone soloist with the "2015 National Youth Band of Canada." Three concerts in Toronto in a new work by Rob Buckland and a newly commissioned improvised work. Conductor, Robert Taylor.

 

Paper presentation at the 2015 East Coast Band Conference, "The Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell, Reading," Pennsylvania. (April 2015)

 

Paper presentation at the 2015 College Band Director's National Conference (CBDNA), The Henry Cowell Parole Compositions for Wind Band (1940-1942), Nashville, Tennessee. (March 2015)

 

Conference host and organizer, Region Nine 2015 North American Saxophone Alliance conference at the University of Calgary. Conductor U of C Jazz Orchestra. Performance of Rush for alto saxophone and wind ensemble, soloist.

 

CINI Foundation Conference, San Giorgio Maggiore: Con la mente e con le mani:  Improvisation from ‘Cantare super Librum’ to Partimenti. Invited auditor for improvisation. Venice, Italy. 2013

 

Concerto soloist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, May 2013. He performed the concerto written for me by K.M. Murphy and commissioned by the C.B.C. and C.P.O.

 

2013 Region Nine, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, University of Saskatchewan.  Multiple performances as a soloist on saxophone and flute and saxophone quartet, saxophone choir.  U of C students from my saxophone studio also performed in 6 sessions.

 

2012 Alberta Music Conference.  Saxophone presenter and clinician.  

 

Performed at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress, St Andrews Scotland, July 2012.  New commissioned works by Kelly-Marie Murphy and John Butcher.

 

2011 Alberta Music Conference.  Saxophone presenter, improvisation clinician.  

 

An Afternoon in Paris.  Solo saxophone and piano recital for the Instrumental Society of Calgary concert series, December 2010.

 

Open Spaces New Music Concert.  Victoria, British Columbia. Jeremy Brown, alto, soprano saxophones and Chantale Laplante, laptop.  October 2009.

 

Western Front, Vancouver, British Columbia.  Jeremy Brown, alto and soprano saxophones and Chantale Laplante, laptop computer.  October 2009.

 

“Sonnez Ici Festival”, Montreal, Quebec.  August 2009.  Guest solo saxophone soloist with Luciane Cardassi, piano.  Works by Laplante, Milhaud, Jordan, Radford, Eagle.

 

Conductor and Artistic Director, National Concert Band.  Performances in Markham, Ontario for Musicfest 2009.

 

Invited Saxophone Soloist at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.  March 2009, Saxophone Masterclass and Recital of New Canadian Compositions.  The world premiere of Room with No Walls by Chantale Laplante.

 

The debut of Rubbing Stone Ensemble resident new music ensemble with New Works Calgary, Jeremy Brown, artistic Director. February 2009.  New Works Calgary with new compositions by Radford, Eagle, Tapia.

 

Saxophone Soloist for the Calgary New Music Festival, January 2009.  Works of William Jordan, Hope Lee and David Eagle.

The conductor of Henry Brant's Angels and Devils.

 

Juried concerto winner Laka Duchow Roslinzernych by Jacek Sobieraj at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, Edmonton Alberta, February 15, 2009, with the Edmonton Chamber Players.

 

The role of improvisation in the rehabilitation of addiction programs at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope. Summer Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation.  A program of interdisciplinary inquiry in musical improvisation and its potential for dynamic forms of community building.  August 25-September 5, 2008. Paper presentation on jazz improvisation and social aesthetic at the "Guelph Jazz Festival Colloquium," September 2008.  Juried invitation.  The Salvation Army Centre of Hope Addiction  Rehabilitation Program.

 

 "The National Concert Band of Canada (2001-2008):  The Philosophy, Repertoire, Soloists and Conductors of Canada's New Twenty-First Century Youth Band".  Paper presentation for the 2008 Internationalen Gesellschaft Zur Erforschung Und Forderung Der Blasmusik Conference, Echternach, Luxembourg.  July 2008.

 

Program of jazz and contemporary song, Cole Porter, Percy Grainger, Henry Cowell.  Janet Youngdahl and Jeremy Brown.  Contrasts Chamber Music Festival, Calgary, Alberta.  June 2008.

 

Verismo Jazz Quintet to perform at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, July 1, 2007, two one-hour sets.  Place des Arts, Montreal, Canada.  Juried invitation.

 

Saxophone soloist with the Okanogan Symphony Orchestra, performing Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud.  February 2007.  Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton British Columbia.

 

Musique pour Saxophone Alto and Harmonie (1950) By Serge Garant:  The First Canadian Composition for Saxophone and Wind Band. Paper presentation at the Internationalen Gesellschaft Zur Erforschung Und Forderung Der Blasmusik Conference, Northfield Minnesota, July 2006.

 

"New Canadian Compositions for Saxophone Quartet," a conference performance of new works performed at the World Saxophone Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, July 2006 by the Calgary Saxophone Quartet, Jeremy Brown, leader.

 

The world premiere performance of Fantasy by Nova Pon for string quartet and alto saxophone.  University of Calgary Chamber Music Festival, June 2006.  Commissioned by Jeremy Brown.

 

World Premiere of Resound by David Eagle with electroacoustic music at the 2006 American Biennial Saxophone Conference, Iowa City, Iowa, February 2006. Jeremy Brown commissioned it.

 

"Contemporary Electroacoustic Compositions for Soprano and Alto Saxophone by Canadian, American and Japanese Composers." Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, January 11-14, 2006. 

 

Solo performance and the United States premiere of Resound by David Eagle, presentation of "Graingerisms" of Percy Grainger in Chrysanthemums (1937) by Henry Cowell at the Region Four North American Saxophone Conference, Jonesboro, Arkansas, April 2005.

 

World Premiere performance of Resound by David Eagle for solo alto saxophone.  The University of Calgary New Music Festival.  January 2005.

 

The Canadian premiere of Chrysanthemums (1936) by Henry Cowell at the University of Calgary New Music Festival.  Score discovered by Jeremy Brown in 2003 at New York Public Library.  January 2005.

 

"The Grainger-Cowell Prison Dialogues and the Origins of Henry Cowell's Celtic Set (1938)." Paper presentation at the International Society for the Investigation of Wind Music of the 16th IGEB Conference, Oberwolz, Austria.  July 2004

 

European premiere of Fanfare for alto saxophone and harmonie at the Jungfrau Music Festival, Interlaken, Switzerland, also as conductor of the Calgary Concert Band in performances at the same conference.  July 2004.

 

Second European performance of Fanfare for alto saxophone and harmonie at the 2004 Mid-European Conference, Schladming, Austria, and the Calgary Concert Band in performances at the same conference.

 

American Premier of Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder for alto saxophone and orchestra by Kelly-Marie Murphy at the 13th World Saxophone Congress, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  July 2003.

 

Conductor-in-residence for the University of Regina Conducting Institute, March 1-2. Performed Yorkshire Ballad by James Barnes and Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo by Malcolm Arnold

 

World Premiere of Sonata for Soprano Saxophone and Piano by William Jordan at the Region Nine Saxophone Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, February 2003.

 

The world premiere of Intonare 2 by David Eagle and Blue Melisma by Tim Brady at the 2000 World Saxophone Congress in Montreal.  June 2000.

 

Solo recital performance of works by Milhaud, Robert, and Francaix at the Canadian University Music Society Conference as part of the Learned Society Conference.  Jennifer Snow, piano.  University of Ottawa, May 1998.

 

Solo recital and the world premiere performance of Animus by Alan Bell at the Region 7 North American Saxophone Conference, with Charles Foreman.  Victoria British Columbia. February 3, 1998.

 

Solo recital and the European premiere of Animus by Alan Bell and In My Soul's Company by Kelly Marie Murphy at the 1997 World Saxophone Conference, with Charles Foreman.  Valencia, Spain. September 29, 1997.

 

Coach and performer with SAXOFFONEE, a jazz ensemble comprised of University of Calgary students and community musicians.  By audition, invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux Switzerland.  July 1997.

 

The University of Calgary Symphonic Band, the only Canadian band invited to perform by audition at the 1996 Western Region Conference of the College Band Director's National Association.  Works by Grieg, Cowell, Shostakovich, Arnold.  Reno Nevada. March 27, 1996.

 

The world premiere of In the Company of My Soul by Kelly-Marie Murphy.  Region 7 Saxophone Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.  March 1996.

 

"A Thirty-Year Perspective:  The San Quentin Wind Band Works of Henry Cowell (1897-1965)." Lecture at the 1995 Word Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference, Hamamatsu, Japan.  July 1995.

 

"Elements of Jazz, Aleatory and Extended Techniques used as an Expressive Medium in the Sonate for Alto Saxophone and Piano by Edison Denisov." Lecture/recital presented at the 1995 Canadian University Music Society as part of the Learned Society Conference.  With Jennifer Snow.  Montreal Quebec.  June 1995.

 

Record Recordings

 

2021-22 New recording of saxophone and piano works by Pon, Ho, Eagle, Lapalme in progress.  It will be released on Redshift records in 2022.

 

2021 Recorded a record of original and arranged jazz compositions with Jack Wilkins, to be released on Chronograph Records in 2021. In Press.

 

2021   Magnitudes. Joe Morris and Jeremy Brown, recorded in Boston, 2019, and released on the Fundacja Sluchal label.  

 

2020 Saxophone Ornamentology. Sonatas of J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel.  Jeremy Brown, soprano and alto saxophones, Su Jeon, piano.  Re-released on Spotify 2020.

 

2015    Music for Soup, Jeremy Brown, saxophone and flute, Robin Tufts, percussion. Live recording at the Yellow House, March 8, 2015.

 

2014    The Lethbridge Sessions, The Rubbing Stone Ensemble, works by Radford, Eagle, Lee, Pon, Perron, Marwood and Tan. The Canada Council funded it.

 

2012    The Wind Band Works of Henry Cowell.  Recorded in late 2011 with musicians of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.  Funded by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.  Sourcebooks in American Music, College Music Society.

 

2010    Ornamentology, Sonatas of J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel.  Jeremy Brown, soprano and alto saxophones, Su Jeon, piano. lightblue records.

 

2009    Rubbing Stone, solo saxophone, saxophone and electroacoustic music, saxophone and piano.  Jeremy Brown, saxophones, Ami Longhi, piano and Rod Squance, percussion.  *Nominated for Outstanding Classical Recording of 2010 by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.

 

2009    Winter by Jeremy Brown, performed by Verismo on the Beat Niq jazz compilation CD recording.

 

2004-2005 "Verismo" Jazz quintet performing original works of Jeremy Brown and others. http://cdbaby.com/cd/

 

2000 – 2002 "In the Company of My Soul," a solo saxophone compact disc recording with 

Charles Foreman, 2003.  Arktos Records.

 

2002    Soloist and saxophonist with the Calgary Philharmonic, Scaramouche, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2002. C.B.C. Records.

 

1995    Soloist on "Music of America's" compact disc, Kensington Sinfonia. Autumn by Norman Symonds.

 

Recorded Performances

La Creation du Monde, solo saxophone, Lands End Chamber Ensemble, Hans Graf conducting.  Recorded for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  November 2007.

 

Verismo jazz quintet, studio recording session for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program "Jazz Beat." December 2004.  Jazz Beat program aired February 20, 2005.

 

Instrumental Society of Calgary, Jeremy Brown and Janet Youngdahl, "Renaissance to Ragtime" October 24, 2004.  Recorded by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for national radio broadcast.

 

"Alberta In Concert" for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Jeremy Brown with Ami Longhi and Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann in a music program by Jordan, Gurewich, Desenclos and others.  February 2003.

 

Jeremy Brown with the Calgary Philharmonic, soloist in a world premiere performance of Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder for orchestra and alto saxophone Kelly-Marie Murphy.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, November 9, 2002.

 

Jeremy Brown with the Calgary Philharmonic, soloist recording of Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud and performer in works by Villa Lobos. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation SM 5000 recording, September 2001.

 

Calgary Saxophone Quartet recording for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, unique session recording.  Works by Dubois, Florio and others.  May 2001.

 

Celebrity Series solo recital for the University of Calgary with Charles Foreman and Jennifer Snow.  Works by d’ Indy, Franck, Sauget and Koechlin.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 12, 1998.

 

Soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in La Creation du Monde and Scaramouche's program by Darius Milhaud.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 1, 1997.

 

Solo recital performance at Jack Singer Concert Hall with Jennifer Snow.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Works by Ben-Haim, Robert, Francaix, Boutry.  April 1999.

 

Radio Broadcasts, Canada and U.S.A. and Interviews

Interview for upcoming Calgary Wind Symphony concert, C.B.C. Radio, (March 2017)

 

Interview for upcoming Calgary Jazz Orchestra concert, 660 Radio. (June 2016)

 

Avant-garde and Beyond with Piotr-Grella Mozjeko, September 2013.  The music of Jeremy Brown, CJSW Radio.

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Compact Disc recording of Scaramouche of Milhaud and works of Villa Lobos with saxophone and orchestra. Approved funding by the C.B.C. for this project in September 2001. 

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, interview with Caroline Smith for the C.P.O. Season Opener Concert. August 23, 2001

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, interview with Caroline Smith discussing the Calgary Concert Band Summer Concerts Season at Reilly Park, June 2001

 

Performance of Scaramouche on the Big Breakfast Show, September 5, 2001. 

 

Interview with Caroline Smith at C.B.C. Radio for the "From the Heart" C.P.O. Benefit, 2002

 

Interview with Bob Clark for the Calgary Herald and the Scaramouche CD and November Concert, 2002

 

National Public Radio WFCR, New England January 7 9:07 Milhaud: Scaramouche: Suite for saxophone & orchestra (Jeremy Brown, saxophone, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Graf, from Scaramouche) C.B.C. Records 5217 2003

 

National Public Radio WFCR, New England July 25 Milhaud: Scaramouche Suite for saxophone & orchestra (Jeremy Brown, saxophone, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Graf) 2003.

 

Broadcast of Scaramouche on San Francisco Bay area radio station and review of the C.B.C. records Scaramouche recording, 2003.

 

Take Five Radio Broadcast, National C.B.C. Program, World Premier Performance of Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Graf Conducting.  2003.

 

Alberta In Concert Radio Broadcasts, Works by Gurewich, Brubeck, Jordan, Brown and others.  2003.

 

C.B.C. Radio One and Two---Harold Gillis, music producer at C.B.C. The radio reported that Scaramouche was reported nineteen times on the C.B.C. playlists of local and national programs Weekender, Disc Drive, Music to Go and Music and Company 2003.

 

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Scaramouche, Jeremy Brown, soloist.  WGTE National Public Radio. U.S.A., January 2004.

 

A radio interview for C.B.C. radio, Calgary, October 2004, with Carolyn Smith for the Instrumental Society of Calgary program.

 

Scaramouche, KCNV NPR, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Jeremy Brown, soloist.  89.7 KCNV Nevada Public Radio January. The U.S.A., 2004.

 

Jazz Beat, (National Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Verismo jazz quintet, February 2005.

 

In the Key of A, Broadcast of Mountain Time, by Jeremy Brown. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, September 2006.

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "Wildrose Country," interview regarding the Salvation Army Centre of Hope.  2007.

 

Verismo with Guido Basso, live concert recording at Monday Night Jazz. Calgary 2007.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Concerts on Demand.

 

Other Performances (2000-2017)

In addition to the listed conference performances, Jeremy Brown is among the busiest conductors, saxophonists and conductors in Canada.  Concerts since 2000 have included performances in the U.S.A., Europe and across Canada.  Invited performances have included the University of British Columbia, University of Saskatchewan, University of Lethbridge, University of Toronto, University of Windsor, Arkansas State University, University of Florida, and the National Concert Band in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.  Performances at Valdosta State University, Acadia University, Brock University, University of Regina, University of Alberta, Calgary International Jazz Festival, Theatre Calgary, the Banff Centre for the Arts, Eastman School of Music, Chadron State College, University of Lethbridge.

 

 

Statement on Teaching Philosophy

Statement on Teaching Philosophy  

When I started teaching at a small Northern Alberta college l in 1982, I had already studied with dozens of teachers in music. Mentors in saxophone, flute, clarinet, jazz improvisation, theory, musicology, conducting and even the oboe and bassoon. As a new teacher, I was reasonably confident that I could handle most situations I would encounter. I soon realized that my mastery of teaching was, as some of my students, consciously incompetent. Why did some of my students seem to be unenthused about the subject matter I was excited about? Shouldn’t they embrace it because I do? I was increasingly aware of my shortcomings, and aware of what I needed to learn to put student learning first. 

Student learning is paramount. Everything flows from this. To implement excellent student learning, one has to be concerned with the well-being of their students. To care about them as people can I believe, motivate both the teacher and the student to create the conditions necessary for the mastery of learning. To strengthen this bond, I need to know as much as I can of their prior knowledge and experiences as musicians/students. In addition to a descriptive essay on who they are and what they have done and what they expect to learn in the class, I ask the students to play or sing in small or individual class settings the relevant course materials, such as a jazz standard, a saxophone solo or an improvisation, either live in small groups or pre-recorded. This activity allows me to adapt course materials and lesson plans to build on what they already know, to activate knowledge they have previously learned and remediate insufficient or inappropriate prior knowledge. Once I have gained some insight into the student's abilities and prior knowledge, I can tier the resources for the class to meet the needs of what is often a diverse ability and talent. 

 Students must value the outcomes. If the students cannot attain a degree of competency and intrinsic reward from the assignments, they will lose interest and engagement will suffer. Learning goals must include the ability to isolate, break down problem material, and practice. Though I am still learning how best to provide formative feedback, I often demonstrate musical concepts that pertain to rhythm, tone, expression and technique. We scaffold playing assignments by having more advanced students demonstrate musical passages and have them imitate in a call and response style. As students gain the ability to evaluate new material independently, I am happy to step back and provide the best resources and feedback possible, while encouraging innovative and alternative approaches to learning goals. As well, to maintain student engagement, it must be clear to students how the material is relevant to their careers as musicians. 

 Communication is critical to a supportive environment. Some students will be intimidated by the learning outcomes, thinking them unattainable, while others may think the material doable but unimportant. To ensure that I am connecting the material to their interests and to what is important to them, communication is vital. It also allows for a more personal relationship and a positive and supportive learning environment that will motivate students to want to succeed. Informal conversations, frequent playing opportunities in class that allow students to try out new material and small group activities that encourage discussion as well as performing for each other with peer feedback can support such a positive environment. How the material inclass is practical and will enhance their ability to sound better, to attain more gigs and gain professional reputation. As well, the use of D2L is a strategic tool in maintaining a strong connection to my students. 

 As a teacher, I must remain passionate about pedagogy. Good teaching must be rooted in a passionate embrace of the art of music-making and how it is organized and presented. The energy to create and transform musical material into a mode of meaningful self-expression by students can only happen if I am continually renewing my own artistic and pedagogical compass. To remain relevant, to challenge, inspire and motivate can occur when I am committed to continual growth as both an artist and teacher. Then might I be able to develop young artists/musicians who can continue independently to grow, to create and innovate and flourish. 

                                                  Previous Statement of Teaching (2014)

A life in music as a performer and teacher is what I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember.  While I have been told I am a good teacher, I am also a keen student and life long learner.  As a saxophonist and conductor, I have been learning new scores, compositions, fingerings and musical phrasing almost daily since grade school.  I clearly remember how just a few well chosen words from a teacher as well as the materials and music they chose for study inspired me profoundly.  In this personal journey of musical mastery, I have become passionate about teaching with a specific interest in making my lessons as cogent and relevant to my students learning as possible. 

Outstanding music performances have to be absolutely perfect. In music performance less than perfect is unacceptable and sounds ill prepared.  To create the conditions for an outstanding performance, my teaching style is to create a sense of urgency and momentum in rehearsals, with positive and enthusiastic interactions with my students.  I do this by creating a brisk pace, moving from one detail or issue quickly, and using eye contact and student names as much as possible. I find that the rapid pace together with the natural musical process of carving sound out of silence is interesting to my students, resulting in an energetic intensity.  Because of this, the structural details of the music such as notes, rhythms, expression and intonation become exciting and memorable to the students, resulting in better retention of the music studied which often leads to exceptional performances.  One example of such pacing is when rehearsing the trumpets in a musical phrase, I have the saxophones and trombones sing or clap along, without playing.  Full engagement of all the players keeps the rehearsal moving ahead, interesting to everyone and is often a bit humorous as the singing can be well-intentioned but often a bit rough sounding.  In the last few years, I have had rapidly increasing numbers of students audition for my jazz ensembles at the University of Calgary, suggesting that my teaching strategies are appealing to students.

Another key teaching motivator for me is the use of verbal analogy and metaphor.  As a jazz improviser, I have performed in flights of musical fancy for many years, with energizing results for both audiences and me.  Similarly, I find using words, short stories and phrases in an improvisational and sometimes off beat way can be humorous and fun; often inspiring enough to create a memorable impression of the concept or idea I am trying to impart.  An example of analogy I use is when the students have completed a small task well (playing something as I asked them to do really well for instance) I have said “Well let’s put that puppy on the shelf, well done.”  A verbal mix of some silliness and offbeat visual imagery works surprisingly well in creating a moment of energy and forward motion in the lesson.  Such use of analogy or metaphor is a part of my teaching process that can enliven and shift a teaching session that may be losing direction or focus.  I have used these techniques extensively with the University of Calgary Jazz Orchestra in preparing for concerts and festivals.  In 2013, this jazz band was named an Outstanding Ensemble at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Another teaching strategy I use is modeling (performing) the behaviors and musical qualities I teach in the studio to my students through my own performances. My public performances are also intended to inspire and energize my students and bring focus to their goals and aspirations.  For instance, when I perform a saxophone composition in a public recital, I aspire to model all the aspects of tone quality, rhythm, intonation and musicality that I have taught my students in the saxophone studio.  Also a part of this modeling is how I look (dressing properly as a musician) and the historical and biographical details of the music I impart when speaking about the music to the audience.  In addition to using modeling as a motivator, I use it to demonstrate correct pedagogy. In my music education classroom, I demonstrate correct posture, holding position, embouchure and fingerings for the woodwind instruments and subsequently challenge (and assess) my students to remember and model these pedagogical details to the best of their ability.

A key way of maintaining a sense of objectivity in my teaching is to record rehearsals and concerts.  This is something I did extensively in the last academic year in preparation for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  I find during the (often emotional) process of teaching music, you can hear what you want to hear, not what it really is; recording the actual music keeps you honest.  Increasingly, I post these recordings for the students to study on “Dropbox.” I also use “Spotify” and “Grooveshark” to locate and past reference materials for my students to study.  You Tube is also a useful tool in locating recordings for study purposes.  I plan to post more of our ensemble performances on YouTube for both the public to enjoy and for my students to access.

Another strategy I use in appraising my teaching is to invite guest lecturers into rehearsals.  Their insights, critiques and observations with my students are a snapshot of strengths and weaknesses of my teaching, and can be of great assistance in developing new and different ways of approaching learning.  Their ideas and insights are often helpful in guiding me in assessing the learning that is occurring in my classes and rehearsals.

My passion and love for teaching music is something that many of my students remember about me long after they have left my classroom.  I am thrilled to have been a part of their musical growth and even more excited to have contributed to their life long independence of artistic musical interpretations and insightful performances.

Newspaper and Media Reviews of Jeremy Brown's performances

Media Reviews

 

Ottawa Citizen: Saxophone Shines on Ottawa Symphony Concert

"Saxophones are rare birds in classical music, but the stage at Southam Hall has seen a gaggle of them in the past six weeks.

After sightings at NACO performances of Kurt Weill and Ravel, the sax was the star attraction at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Monday evening.

The program revolved around the world premiere of a concerto for tenor saxophone by Canadian composer Andrew Paul MacDonald. Entitled The Orchid Garden, the O.S.O. commission is built on a familiar five-note theme by Charlie Parker and makes extensive improvisation use.

MacDonald has created a spectacular showcase for both soloist (the astonishing Jeremy Brown) and orchestra. His writing is dense but somehow catchy, exploiting the sax's entire tonal range. The orchestration is complex yet subtle. MacDonald's a master illusionist, combining weird effects from the woodwinds with layers of percussion to produce a kind of elusive "third sound," making you wonder how it's done. The lush slow movement is especially evocative, like Ravel on a tropical island vacation.

Brown's performance was a dazzling display of classical discipline and agility combined with a jazz artist's freedom and sense of exploration. To get through the piece's marathon fluttering phrases, Brown uses circular breathing — essentially inhaling through his nose while exhaling through his mouth, an advanced, prized technique that never fails to impress." (November 2015)

 

Ottawa Citizen: "Sax Soloist Brilliant, Conductor Confident in Short But Satisfying Concert"

"Jeremy Brown was brilliant as he would remain throughout the concert." (May 2013)

 

Kenneth Delong, music critic, the Calgary Herald 

 "Even by today's demanding performing standards, Jeremy Brown is a highly accomplished saxophonist.  Technically, he is able to leap the highest hurdles, and his command of tone and rhythm convey a refined sensibility." (May 2011)

 

Calgary Herald: "…afforded Brown the opportunity to tease a wide variety of tone colours from his instrument and to shape the expressive phrases with delicacy and poise." (November 10, 2002)

 

American Record Guide on the Calgary Philharmonic recording Scaramouche: "Saxophone soloist Jeremy Brown's creamy smoothness, graceful elegance, and singing tone are ideally suited to Milhaud's Scaramouche.  Maestro Graf offers such a jazzy and spirited orchestral backdrop that for once I did not miss the original two-piano scoring".  (December 2002)

 

"Montreal International Jazz Festival"

The Calgary jazz scene is Verismo, the elite quintet founded by saxophonists Pat Belliveau and Jeremy Brown and filled out by bassist John Hyde, pianist Derek Stoll and drummer John De Wall. The modern jazz and hard bop on their self-titled debut was hailed across Canada for its originality, cohesiveness, virtuosity and the brilliance of pieces like "Trojan Horse" and "Winter." A fresh chinook blows out of the West! (2007)

 

IAJE Canada Bulletin, Spring 2007

Verismo

Review by Nick Lavigne

 

"Straight ahead, truthful jazz and no apologies." A perfect description of the Calgary-based ensemble Verismo. Formed in 2001 by saxophonists Jeremy Brown and Pat Belliveau as a means to explore original compositions and to create/promote artistic growth. With veteran players John Hyde on bass, John de Waal on drums, and Derek Stoll on piano filling out the rest of the band, they, for the most part, accomplish exactly that on their self-titled 2005 release. 

 

Great compositions and playing aside for a moment, the best part of this album is something many jazz records seem to lack: unity. These guys sound like an actual band and not just pros coming together for a recording session, and that makes the grooving tunes and hard-swinging solos all the sweeter. 

 

Groove is the name of the game on Hyde's mischievous and catchy composition "Trojan Horse." Although it will no doubt have listeners wondering, "where to have, I heard this before?" (think back to Michael Brecker's self-titled 1987 album), the tune serves as a vehicle for blowing and illustrates the second best part of this album which seems to come up again and again: these guys can play. 

 

That leaves the third best part: the tunes. Brown's "Winter" has Stoll switching to Fender Rhodes for a texture shift, which creates a softer base for the memorable melody and countermelody to glide over. Not only has the majority of the group contributed strong compositions, but they've also included tunes that complement their own, including Bob Mintzer's "Sonny" and the infectious "Push" by fellow Calgarian Brian Christensen. 

 

There isn't much of a jazz record that needs to be considered "good": solid players, good tunes, and creativity. When all of those are also groovy, tasteful and musically challenging, it can be great. Luckily for those with an ear to the Canadian jazz scene, that's precisely what Verismo has done. However, this isn't merely a great "Canadian" album: this is a great jazz album. Period. 

Compositions by Jeremy Brown

Compositions by Jeremy S. Brown

Prairie Rhapsody for alto saxophone and piano by Jeremy Brown. It was premiered by Jeremy Brown and Ami Longhi, Calgary, Alberta, 2004.

Published by Dorn Publications

 

Mountain Time for two tenor saxophones, piano, bass and drums by Jeremy Brown. It was premiered by Jeremy Brown and Verismo, 2004, Calgary, Alberta.

Available from the composer.

 

Winter by Jeremy Brown for two tenor saxophones, piano, bass and drums. It was premiered by Jeremy Brown and Verismo, Banff Alberta 2004.

Available from the composer.

 

Blue for saxophone quartet, piano and percussion.  New Music in New Places concert, February 8, 2008.

Available from the composer.

 

The Rigor of Smoke (2019). Composed for the Jeremy Brown Collective, premiered December 3, 2019, at the University Theatre, University of Calgary.

 

Euphony (2019). Composed for the Jeremy Brown Collective, premiered December 3, 2019, at the University Theatre, University of Calgary.

 

Pacific Time (2019). Composed for the Jeremy Brown Collective, premiered December 3, 2019, at the University Theatre, University of Calgary.

 

Belgium Blues.  Composed for the “Tenor Saxophone Project” with Jack Wilkins and premiered at the C.M.S. 2019 International Conference in Belgium.

 

CD, Record recordings and other media/livestreams

Record Recordings

 

2021-22 New recording of saxophone and piano works by Pon, Ho, Eagle, Lapalme in progress.  It will be released on Redshift records in 2022.

 

2021 Recorded a record of original and arranged jazz compositions with Jack Wilkins, to be released on Chronograph Records in 2021. In Press.

 

2021   Magnitudes. Joe Morris and Jeremy Brown, recorded in Boston, 2019, and released on the Fundacja Sluchal label.  

 

2020 Saxophone Ornamentology. Sonatas of J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel.  Jeremy Brown, soprano and alto saxophones, Su Jeon, piano.  Re-released on Spotify 2020.

 

2015    Music for Soup, Jeremy Brown, saxophone and flute, Robin Tufts, percussion. Live recording at the Yellow House, March 8, 2015.

 

2014    The Lethbridge Sessions, The Rubbing Stone Ensemble, works by Radford, Eagle, Lee, Pon, Perron, Marwood and Tan. The Canada Council funded it.

 

2012    The Wind Band Works of Henry Cowell.  Recorded in late 2011 with musicians of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.  Funded by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.  Sourcebooks in American Music, College Music Society.

 

2010    Ornamentology, Sonatas of J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel.  Jeremy Brown, soprano and alto saxophones, Su Jeon, piano. lightblue records.

 

2009    Rubbing Stone, solo saxophone, saxophone and electroacoustic music, saxophone and piano.  Jeremy Brown, saxophones, Ami Longhi, piano and Rod Squance, percussion.  *Nominated for Outstanding Classical Recording of 2010 by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.

 

2009    Winter by Jeremy Brown, performed by Verismo on the Beat Niq jazz compilation CD recording.

 

2004-2005 "Verismo" Jazz quintet performing original works of Jeremy Brown and others. http://cdbaby.com/cd/

 

2000 – 2002 "In the Company of My Soul," a solo saxophone compact disc recording with 

Charles Foreman, 2003.  Arktos Records.

 

2002    Soloist and saxophonist with the Calgary Philharmonic, Scaramouche, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2002. C.B.C. Records.

 

1995    Soloist on "Music of America's" compact disc, Kensington Sinfonia. Autumn by Norman Symonds.

 

Recorded Performances

La Creation du Monde, solo saxophone, Lands End Chamber Ensemble, Hans Graf conducting.  Recorded for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  November 2007.

 

Verismo jazz quintet, studio recording session for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program "Jazz Beat." December 2004.  Jazz Beat program aired February 20, 2005.

 

Instrumental Society of Calgary, Jeremy Brown and Janet Youngdahl, "Renaissance to Ragtime" October 24, 2004.  Recorded by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for national radio broadcast.

 

"Alberta In Concert" for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Jeremy Brown with Ami Longhi and Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann in a music program by Jordan, Gurewich, Desenclos and others.  February 2003.

 

Jeremy Brown with the Calgary Philharmonic, soloist in a world premiere performance of Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder for orchestra and alto saxophone Kelly-Marie Murphy.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, November 9, 2002.

 

Jeremy Brown with the Calgary Philharmonic, soloist recording of Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud and performer in works by Villa Lobos. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation SM 5000 recording, September 2001.

 

Calgary Saxophone Quartet recording for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, unique session recording.  Works by Dubois, Florio and others.  May 2001.

 

Celebrity Series solo recital for the University of Calgary with Charles Foreman and Jennifer Snow.  Works by d’ Indy, Franck, Sauget and Koechlin.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 12, 1998.

 

Soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in La Creation du Monde and Scaramouche's program by Darius Milhaud.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 1, 1997.

 

Solo recital performance at Jack Singer Concert Hall with Jennifer Snow.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Works by Ben-Haim, Robert, Francaix, Boutry.  April 1999.

 

Radio Broadcasts, Canada and U.S.A. and Interviews

Interview for upcoming Calgary Wind Symphony concert, C.B.C. Radio, (March 2017)

 

Interview for upcoming Calgary Jazz Orchestra concert, 660 Radio. (June 2016)

 

Avant-garde and Beyond with Piotr-Grella Mozjeko, September 2013.  The music of Jeremy Brown, CJSW Radio.

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Compact Disc recording of Scaramouche of Milhaud and works of Villa Lobos with saxophone and orchestra. Approved funding by the C.B.C. for this project in September 2001. 

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, interview with Caroline Smith for the C.P.O. Season Opener Concert. August 23, 2001

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, interview with Caroline Smith discussing the Calgary Concert Band Summer Concerts Season at Reilly Park, June 2001

 

Performance of Scaramouche on the Big Breakfast Show, September 5, 2001. 

 

Interview with Caroline Smith at C.B.C. Radio for the "From the Heart" C.P.O. Benefit, 2002

 

Interview with Bob Clark for the Calgary Herald and the Scaramouche CD and November Concert, 2002

 

National Public Radio WFCR, New England January 7 9:07 Milhaud: Scaramouche: Suite for saxophone & orchestra (Jeremy Brown, saxophone, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Graf, from Scaramouche) C.B.C. Records 5217 2003

 

National Public Radio WFCR, New England July 25 Milhaud: Scaramouche Suite for saxophone & orchestra (Jeremy Brown, saxophone, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Graf) 2003.

 

Broadcast of Scaramouche on San Francisco Bay area radio station and review of the C.B.C. records Scaramouche recording, 2003.

 

Take Five Radio Broadcast, National C.B.C. Program, World Premier Performance of Fallibility, Logic and the Return of Wonder, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Graf Conducting.  2003.

 

Alberta In Concert Radio Broadcasts, Works by Gurewich, Brubeck, Jordan, Brown and others.  2003.

 

C.B.C. Radio One and Two---Harold Gillis, music producer at C.B.C. The radio reported that Scaramouche was reported nineteen times on the C.B.C. playlists of local and national programs Weekender, Disc Drive, Music to Go and Music and Company 2003.

 

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Scaramouche, Jeremy Brown, soloist.  WGTE National Public Radio. U.S.A., January 2004.

 

A radio interview for C.B.C. radio, Calgary, October 2004, with Carolyn Smith for the Instrumental Society of Calgary program.

 

Scaramouche, KCNV NPR, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Jeremy Brown, soloist.  89.7 KCNV Nevada Public Radio January. The U.S.A., 2004.

 

Jazz Beat, (National Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Verismo jazz quintet, February 2005.

 

In the Key of A, Broadcast of Mountain Time, by Jeremy Brown. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, September 2006.

 

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "Wildrose Country," interview regarding the Salvation Army Centre of Hope.  2007.

 

Verismo with Guido Basso, live concert recording at Monday Night Jazz. Calgary 2007.  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Concerts on Demand.

 

Currently Teaching

 W2024 - MUPF 225B - Instrumental Jazz Ensemble
 W2024 - MUPF 325B.3 - Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (Instrumental Jazz Ensemble III)
 W2025 - MUPF 225B - Instrumental Jazz Ensemble
 W2025 - MUPF 325B.4 - Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (Instrumental Jazz Ensemble IV)

Curriculum Vitae

Degrees

Powered by UNITIS. More features.