"The Blues stays with us because of the REAL ETHNOCENTRIC CULTRAL STORY TELLING the Blues presents to the public."

Vernon C. Brown Jr.:

The indigenous of Afro American culture

Vernon Clifford Brown Jr. lives in Lennox, Ca. was born in Saint Joseph, Mo. 1937, and plays guitar and banjo at various Jazz, Blues, Zydeco and Dixieland bands. Vernon's favorite quotation is: "Age ain't nothin' but a word like a chicken ain't nothin' but a bird", and as like says: "That which I do is that which I am. Nothing more nothing less."

Vernon C. Brown Jr, timeline: 1972 to 2010: Freelance casuals, all styles. 1972 to 2008: Volunteer rhythm and solo guitar with the Compton Community College Studio Jazz Ensemble for 31 years. 1986: Banjo and Guitar with Jack McVeigh at Disneyland. 9/29/1987: Rythym and Solo Guitar in a theatrical pit combo for The Entertainment Specialist. 10/14/1987: Banjo and Guitar with Mr. Delbert Hill at Disneyland. 1/1/1988 until now: Freelance Big Band, Blues, Jazz, Zydeco combos. 1/1/1989: Picture and resume published in the National Black Talent Directory. 6/29/1989: Commercial promo for television to be aired on MTV to promote the Beastie Boys and their new Record Label.

8/6/1989: Movie for NBC network television entitled Brand New Life. Contractor: Joe Soldo. Honor Graduate of Compton Community College with an AS Degree in Social Science. (cultural & physical Anthropology). 1975 to 1980: Studied music orchestration and arranging at Los Angeles City College. Placed on the Deans Honor role and acquired Greek letters EAG (Epsilon Alpha Gamma) and was certificated for academic achievement also was drafted into the Alethians Student Honor club. 1986 and 1989: Was certificated by the Black Jazz Music Caucus (BJMC) for contributions to Jazz in Education. 1995: Rhythm and Solo Guitar with Bonne Musique Zydeco. 2012: Currently Freelance in the Los Angeles area.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and jazz music, what does the blues mean to you?

About MYSELF I have learned that I am a professional representative of indigenous American Classical Music popularly termed Blues and/or Jazz.

I know of no human being that can realistically articulate the MEANING of the Blues in words. The Blues speaks for itself.

What is the “feel” you miss most nowadays from the “old days of Jazz, Blues, and Zydeco”?

Nowadays I miss the noncommercial influence that fostered the creation, composition and performance of ALL African American Ethno cultural Folk music simply for the cultural values contained within the Music’s storyline.

Which is the most interesting period in your life and why?

NOW is the most interesting period in my life. I am older and more mature now, more comprehensive in my understanding of my personal socio/political experience in this culture.

How has the music business changed over the years since you first started in music?

When I began in the music industry, it was a multimillion dollar industry.

I witnessed the introduction of a music called Rhythm and Blues which over time caused the industry to explode into a multibillion dollar industry.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians thinking of pursuing a career in the craft?

Get as much Music Education (Academic and Legal) as possible as well as much Live Performance Experience as you can get, by any and all means necessary.

Why did you think that Blues Jazz and Dixieland continues to generate such a devoted following?

One conclusion could be posed that these 3 music stylistic characteristics are a Powerful form of Secular Inspiration.

Are there any memories from the road with the blues jazz, which you’d like to share with us?

All road memories were fantastic, equally even the worst ones.

What is the best advice a bluesman or jazzman ever gave you?

"Keep On Pushin'"

What the difference and similarity between the BLUES, JAZZ, DIXIELAND and ZYDECO feeling?

Strategic Syncopation patterns.

Do you know why the jazz, blues, zydeco is connected to the Afro American culture?

These 3 Patterned Style characteristics and others are indigenous to African American Ethnocultural Folk music, among many other things.

Do you know why the jazz, blues, zydeco is connected to the Afro American culture?

These 3 Patterned Style characteristics and others are indigenous to African American Ethno cultural Folk music originally, among many other things and facilitate the telling of an Ethnocentric Socio/Political Story that is unique to any telling of any Ethnic Story Globally.

What are the secrets of banjo in Dixieland music?

Any Banjo Secrets there are reside in the individual Banjo performer because ALL Instrumental performers, including Banjo, can mostly be identified by the soundpattern characteristics they make when they perform. There is no one size fits all answer to one question.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?

Everything I've ever done has been memorable equally, be it GOOD, BAD or UGLY.

Some music styles can be fads but the blues is always with us.  Why do think that is? Give one wish for the BLUES

The Blues stays with us because of the REAL ETHNOCENTRIC CULTRAL STORY TELLING the Blues presents to the public. I don't believe in WISHES but let the REAL BLUES tell the truest possible story that can be told about Humanity and the DEEPEST Socio/Political interactions that exist therein.

At this point I must add that there are 2 kinds of Basic Blues nowadays the Original Ethnic Afrocultral Folk music called the Blues and a Eurocentric music that is called the Blues. Again, I don't believe in WISHES however but through the Blues LET THE TRUE HUMAN STORY BE TOLD WITH ALL Its GOODS, BADS AND UGLYS.

How do you describe your contact to people when you are on stage and what compliment do you appreciate the most after a gig?

When I'm on stage I treat people like they are human beings.

The only COMPLIMENT I recognize is Applause when I do well and NO Applause when I do not do well.

Which things do you prefer to do in your free time? What is your “secret” DREAM? 

In my FREE TIME I like to be left alone. I do not believe in Wishes, Secrets or Dreams so I cannot respond to those 3 items.

However, it would please me to quire recognition for my Contribution to the Preservation, Conservation and Presentation of African American Ethno cultural Folk music including All its Performers, composers and Lyricist, Historically, while learning from ALL and Copying NONE.