1. Why are you a musician?

My father is a saxophonist and my mom was always singing around the house, so I grew up with music. I started gigging a few nights a week by the time I was 12, playing with a local legend and jazz drummer, George Reed, so from a young age music became a way of life for me.

2. Who are your musical inspirations?

Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin

3. What is your practice routine?

Between touring and my digital publishing company, Jazz Lesson Videos, I don’t have much time to practice these days, but I always make sure to get in 30-60 minutes. I believe strongly that a routine (practicing in the same way, and through the same material) every day can actually be counter-productive, since the musician can get stuck on the same material and lose focus. With that in mind, I’m always practicing different material each day, and considering different approaches in order to keep myself engaged, while of course using techniques that will continue to strengthen the core fundamentals to musicianship and improvisation.

4. Why did you make this album?

Open World
By Chad Lefkowitz-Brown & the Global Big Band

I’ve always been inspired by how jazz has become a universal language that musicians around the globe have learned, regardless of their background or upbringing. We recorded “Open World” with 30 musicians from 23 different countries of origin, so embarking on this project created the opportunity for a global collaboration during a time when we all felt disconnected in so many ways from the effects of the pandemic. I hope this project brings a spirit of positivity during a difficult time, embracing the miracle of the digital age and how it has allowed us all to stay connected in creative ways throughout this global health crisis.

5. What were the biggest obstacles in making this album? How did you overcome?

Recording so much music remotely was tremendously difficult, but the positive attitude from all the musicians involved truly pulled us through any logistical issues that we faced along the way.

6. Who is featured on the album?

“Open World” features many special guests:

• Arturo Sandoval
• Randy Brecker
• Lionel Loueke
• Melissa Aldana
• Miguel Zenon
• Etienne Charles
• Makoto Ozone
• Bria Skonberg

The Global Big Band features many outstanding musicians from around the globe including Sidmar Vieira (Brazil), Russell Hall (Jamaica), Bryan Davis (England), Siya Charles (South Africa) and Holger Marjamaa (Estonia).

7. Where may we find you online?

• Chad Lefkowitz-Brown’s website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
• Watch Chad perform with his father

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Note: Kabir Sehgal helped produce the project.