Guitarist/Producer Paul Brown to Release New Album “So Much To Say” on June 27th, 2025 | LISTEN!
GRAMMY-WINNING CONTEMPORARY JAZZ GUITARIST/PRODUCER PAUL BROWN
HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES ON
SO MUCH TO SAY OUT FRIDAY!
Shane Theriot, Rick Braun, Jeff Ryan, Darren Rhan & More Join Brown For Sterling Originals & Memorable Reworking of a Classic
“Music is my spirituality and has been my entire life,” confesses the chart-topping and Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Brown, who has garnered more than 80 #1 Contemporary Jazz radio hits. The LA born and raised musical titan’s parents were musicians who sang with Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, among numerous others. Brown’s anticipated recording and thirteenth as a leader, So Much To Say (Shanachie Entertainment – June 27, 2025), showcases his winning combination of astounding virtuosity, soul, grit, fire, and grace that have earned him the trust to produce such luminaries as George Benson, Luther Vandross and Al Jarreau and engineer for such iconic divas as Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. “It’s more of a musical thing,” explains Brown about the meaning behind the title of his new recording. “There’s a lot that can be said with a few notes. Often too many notes confuses the issue. I try to tell a story with my melodies, solos and with dynamics.”
One of the beauties of So Much To Say is Paul Brown’s seamless ability to fuse a multitude of divergent influences into one cohesive and thrilling experience. This is not a surprise given the fact that he cites Wes Montgomery, Peter Gabriel, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, and Jerry Garcia as primary influences. He confesses about the latter, “I’ve been a dead head since 1970. Garcia was one of my guitar heroes even though back then I was a drummer. I’ve played drums since I was four and thought that would be my life instrument, but I think the guitar choose me.” Brown plays percussion on five of the album’s tracks.
At the forefront of So Much To Say is Paul Brown’s relaxed yet simultaneously charged playing. His solid and fluid Jazz chops, R&B/Soul roots, Rock-edge, and Bluesy feel infuse the album with his instantly recognizable signature sound. He shares, “Since my first CD I’ve wanted to have a classic Jazz tone with little effects but surrounded by a modern R&B sound with lots of booty and groove.” So Much To Say opens with the title track, a dance-happy and rock-steady groove providing the perfect canvas for Brown’s crisp and soaring guitar lines. The opener was co-written with Shane Theriot (Hall & Oats, The Neville Brothers, Branford Marsalis, Dr. John) who joins him on the track. “This is kind of my throwback to the 70’s Jazz à la (George) Benson,” admits Brown, who is an avid golfer who makes it a point to golf on tour no matter where he is in the world. A striking and unique reworking of a Jazz standard becomes a high point on the album when Brown offers the funkiest and most blues-drenched version of Gershwin’s “Summertime” likely ever heard. This is track is a powerful first single for the album. “I love the idea of taking a classic song and re-inventing it,” he muses. “It doesn’t get much better than a Gershwin song. That melody just bursts out of the track. Hopefully there will be young people that will be introduced to the song for the first time through my version.” Brown and Theriot come together for the ebullient “Spill Da Beans “featuring saxophonist Darren Rhan (Bob James, Tobi Keith, Najee, Kirk Franklin). Jeffrey Smith arranged the additional instruments heard and co-wrote the laid-back and in-the-pocket groove “Vice- Versa.”
Brown wrote or co-wrote almost every song on So Much To Say and shares, “When I am working on an album, I write and produce every day. Sometimes songs are written specifically for other artists but more frequently lately I end up loving what I played and decide to keep it for my own CD. The keeper, “My Sweet Baby,” is a dazzling number bound to uplift your mood with its tantalizing and breezy buttery-soul melody. Paul Brown’s guitar licks delight and he also provides nice percussive accents on the track. Trumpeter Rick Braun enters the mix on the song “Play It Forward” and the catchy interplay between Brown and Braun is a highlight on the album as they trade choruses and unleash their magnetic chemistry. Brown turns on the quiet with the sultry ballad, “Take Me As I Am,” a collaboration with bassist Roberto Vally (Michael Franks, David Benoit, Patti Austin, Richard Elliot) and pianist Leon Bisquera (Chaka Khan, Boney James, Anita Baker, Randy Crawford).
So Much To Say also features the zippy and buoyant “Let’s Bounce,” the ultimate mood enhancer while the climatic Stax flavored “Smooth Moves” features saxophonist Jeff Ryan (Peter White, Jeff Kashiwa) and thrilling guitar work from Brown alongside driving percussion courtesy of Theriot. “I grew up listening to rock and blues and my parents were jazz musicians, so I heard a lot of that music in the house,” reflects Brown, who confesses, “I have always loved soul music.” Paul Brown will have you crying the blues on the stand-out “Down On My Knees,” which will have even a stone-cold heart soften once they hear his pleading guitar testify. It’s a lesson in authenticity, no gimmicks just heart-felt playing. Brown flips the script on the turbo charged “Step It Up” while So Much To Say comes to a rousing finale with the celebratory “The Get Down” which is an all-out lose yourself and your worries jam. The perfect way to end an unforgettable musical journey. Brown’s states that his goal for the album is “to bring peace of mind to people.”
Paul Brown’s inaugural recording for Shanachie Entertainment was Love You Found Me in 2010. In 2021 Brown joined forces with fellow guitarist Larry Carlton for their acclaimed project Soul Searchin’. 2022 saw the release of Promise Land and in 2024 he collaborated with bassist Brian Bromberg and saxophonist Michael Paulo for the formation of the supergroup BPM and their highly touted recording Seriously. Paul Brown sums up his life and musical journey as a blessing. “My advice is do what you love. I’ve been incredibly blessed to be able to make music and play golf. I love all kinds of music as long as it’s good. I have a great family life and that allows me the time and energy to be as creative as possible.”
Shanachie Entertainment