For over a decade Trumpeter, composer, arranger, and producer Maurice “Mobetta” Brown has seamlessly existed in three musical words simultaneously: contemporary jazz, blues-rock and cutting-edge hip hop.
As a teenager, the Chicago area native won the prestigious national Miles Davis Trumpet Competition and soon moved to Louisiana to study under legendary clarinetist Alvin Batiste. While in New Orleans, he recorded his debut album, HIP TO BOP in 2004. Shortly after, Hurricane Katrina forced him to relocate to New York City where he ended up working with or performing with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ramsey Lewis, De La Soul, and The Roots among others.
In between dropping critically acclaimed follow up albums “MAURICE vs. MOBETTA” (featuring Consequence, Prodigy, and Jean Grae) and “The Mood” (featuring Talib Kweli and J. Ivy), Maurice was then invited to join the newly formed Tedeschi-Trucks Band where he won a Grammy for his horn arrangements on the band’s debut album, “Revelator.”
More recently, Maurice has played alongside Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak as a member of their band, Silk Sonic rocking stages worldwide including the 2022 Grammys, BET Music Awards, and a three-month Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGN.
N’DIGO sat down with the multi-talented musician to discuss his background, his love for music, and what the future holds.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Maurice Brown?
Maurice Brown: I am simply a man that was born to make music.
Do you remember the first songs that grabbed your attention as a child?
I always gravitated to music as a kid. It just had an instant pull with me. A lot of times as a kid, I would be doing whatever and I would stop everything when something caught my ear. I remember wondering how musicians could make up something out of nothing. like that. Music is like another language to me.
When did you decide you wanted to pursue music professionally? Did you consider anything else as a career or did you always know it would be music?
Originally, I wanted to play basketball. My whole life I was on the team. Up and through Jr high and high school. Then one day my band director pulled me out of practice cause I was missing rehearsal before the band competition. He asked me “What’s it gonna be? You gonna play basketball or trumpet?” I went to band rehearsal with my basketball uniform on and never looked back.
Do you have a specific practice and or routine you do as far as writing songs?
I like to clear my head in a quiet place and work on the melody until it’s super clear. After that I’ll actually attempt to make the song. Next thing you know I’m over 80% done with the composition.
Most recently, you’ve worked with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak on the Silk Sonic project. Can you talk about how it all came about and the experience of playing and touring in support of that project?
Yeah, it was an absolutely awesome experience working with Silk Sonic. Bruno took me to dinner and asked me to join the band. He expressed that it was a big commitment, but I had no idea what I was getting into. This was a life changing opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and really deliver.
As a musician/artist that creates your own projects and collaborates on projects helmed by others, how do you balance and make them both work for you?
I’m at a point where I can afford to only work with people who inspire me. I’m very picky these days with my collaborations. I think mainly because I have a lot less time in the studio cause I’ve been touring so much. So when I have that time I have to really make it count.
You’ve had the opportunity to perform and work with a myriad of artists…..who are three artists you’ve yet to collaborate with that you would love to?
I’ll go with Eric Clapton, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna.
What are your thoughts/concerns with the onset of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) technology and its potential impact on music?
I think AI is very interesting. I have friends that are making apps that allow you to make a song in minutes. And also you can use famous artist voices to replace your verse. I think it’s gonna challenge all of the great musicians to make more heartfelt music. I’m not scared of no AI trumpet replacing me. That’s the least of my concerns.
Can you name three albums that are absolutely essential to you and that you can not do without?
D’Angelo’s “Voodoo“
Don Blackman’s self titled album
Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in The Key of Life”
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a degree black belt in taekwondo.
Best advice for aspiring Stay true to your heart when making music. If you love it, someone else will most likely love it too. Go find your tribe.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Ain’t nothing to it, but to do it”
What’s next for Maurice Brown?
I’m working on my new album! Super excited to let the world hear it. It’s on the way!
For more information on Maurice Brown, please visit www.mauricebrown.net
