Don Brown

Gretsch Artist Since: 2025

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: The Don Brown Collective, Jenevieve, Serpentwithfeet, Bucki Sugar

Current Kit Setup:
Gretsch Renown in Piano Black
16x20 BD, 14x14 FT, 8x12 RT, 5x14 SD, 5.5x14 SD

Influences:
Ndugu Chancler, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Aaron Serfaty, Tony Williams & Jonathan Pinson to name a few.

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
Growing up in South Central learning and listening to jazz & I gravitated to a specific sound. Listening to Art Blakey, Tony Williams & Philly Joe jones, yes I realized they were killing but there was something more to that. The tone, clarity and body in their sounds that can't be unheard. I later did research and soon realized they were all Gretsch artists. This sound is the only sound I hear when it comes to drums. Gretsch drums are the only canvas I want to use to sonically paint my picture.

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
Be yourself. Never Settle & If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together.

Bio:
Don Brown is a jazz drummer/bandleader from South Central, Los Angeles.
Assembling together an eclectic group of LA's best jazz musicians making his group The Don Brown Collective which plays and spreads the love and definition of jazz all around LA. This group has played at Dodger Stadium, Gardena Jazz Festival, mentioned in the LA times, and also played for the screening at LACMA of "Tony Williams In Africa" one time only event. With and expansive musical palette he's played in the heavy metal circuit playing venues like The Broad, Copenhell, Sick New World and Grammy award winning metal band Slipknot's annual festival Knotfest in lowa.

Don Brown also works outside of his group playing as a sideman with artists like Serpentwithfeet, Keyon Harrold, Kelly Rowland and Music Directs for R&B artist Jenevieve.