concerts
Tom Browne Concert: A Stand Out Performance by a Master Horn Player
The Tom Browne concert was held in conjunction with Triangle Golf Challenge; an all-inclusive two-day fundraising event with a reception, silent and live auctions, concert, and golf. Proceeds from the event and concert went to selected Triangle charities.
One of the highlights of the fundraiser was a stand-out performance by master horn player Tom Browne and renown R & B vocalist Alyson Williams–who also sang for Maya Angelou’s Memorial Service recently. Here are a few photos from the evening taken by Chuck Ruffin. To see the entire gallery of concert photos, click here.
Concert-goers were offered a rare opportunity to hear Jazz trumpeter extraordinaire Tom “Jamaica Funk” Browne, one of the finest jazz trumpeters in the industry, along with vocalist Alyson Williams. Browne and Williams performed from 8pm to 10pm, along with a few hand-selected local jazz musicians.
Jazz icon George Benson describes Browne’s musical style of “joy-filled in expressiveness”. Browne’s distinct trumpet jazz melodies have topped jazz and contemporary/R & B charts all throughout his career.
Tom “Jamaica” Browne’s hit releases include “Browne Sugar” (1979), “Love Approach” (1980), and “Magic” (1981). Browne’s hit “Funkin’ for Jamaica” landed #1 as the US Billboard R&B single and his “Thighs High” at #4. Honors include: Best Instrumentalist, Best Jazz Cross-Over, Best Jazz Artist-Trumpet and Best Jazz Solo Album. His CD “S’Up” was released in August 2010 and features Fred Wesley and the Groove Collection.
Learn more about Tom Browne at his website.
Alyson Williams is a talented recording artist who can sing soul ballads, jazz standards and broadway show tunes with the greatest of ease. Born and raised in Harlem, daughter of noted jazz trumpeter and bandleader Bobby Booker, Williams attended City University of New York where she thrived in the performing arts and studied under John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Williams path to success was paved with an internship with the world-famous Commodores. You can learn more about Alyson at her website.
Tom Browne (left) and Alyson Williams (right)
Tom Browne, giving it heart and soul
Alyson Williams (far right) and fans
Tom Browne’s Band