• Genre :: Jazz
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Brian Horton Quartet is deeply rooted in the traditions of blues, groove and jazz music. The Durham, North Carolina based ensemble explores multi-cultural rhythms and encourages improvisation, revisiting jazz standards with fresh ideas to craft original, spontaneous composition. The band developed through the study of masters—such as jazz greats Dexter Gordon, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus—as well as through new, global urban grooves.

Brian Horton (saxophone) is a composer, saxophonist, producer and jazz educator from Kinston, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance in the spring of 1997. Two years later he obtained a master’s degree at the Aaron Copeland School of Music in Queens, New York under the direction of Jimmy Heath and the late Sir Roland Hanna. Since that time he has worked as a bandleader, sideman and composer/arranger for such renowned jazz musicians as Hanna, Winard Harper, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry and Delfeayo Marsalis. Horton is known for his attention to detail and melody, especially in his ballads. As a composer and arranger his music has been featured in several independent documentaries for Columbia and Stanford Universities, ESPN, FootLocker and director Spike Lee. Horton currently is a visiting professor at North Carolina Central University, alongside artist-in-residence Branford Marsalis.

Jaimeo Brown (drums) is emerging as one of the pre-eminent new drummers on the jazz music scene. Comfortable in settings that range from jazz club to arena, Brown began his drum career at age 16 with his father, bassist, Dartanyan Brown; his mother, pianist and woodwind specialist, Marcia Miget; and drum teacher, Sly Randolph, a Bernard Purdie protégé from Harlem. In a mere 10 years, Brown has performed with a wide range of musicians including Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Wynton Marsalis, Kamaal (aka Q-Tip), Carl Craig, Kenny Garrett, Steve Turre, Pharoah Sanders and Bobby Hutcherson.  Brown’s second album with tenor saxophonist, Greg Tardy will soon be released.

Ameen Saleem (bass) has toured Latin America, Russia, and Eastern Europe in previous tours with the U.S. State Department. Born and raised in Washington D.C., Saleem studied bass with the District of Columbia Youth Orchestra Program and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In addition, Saleem graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University and earned his master’s degree from the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College.  Saleem currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Ernest Turner (piano) has been an active member of the New Orleans and North Carolina music scenes since 1999. Turner received his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Loyola University and later obtained his master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of New Orleans. While in New Orleans, Turner played with and befriended many great jazz musicians, including Delfeayo, Jason and Ellis Marsalis; Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Adonis Rose; Ed Peterson; Harold Batiste; Steve Masakowski; Tony Dagradi; Johnny Vidacovich; Brice Winston; John Mahoney and Michael Pellera. Turner currently serves as instructor of jazz piano at East Carolina University and is involved in various musical endeavors in the North Carolina area.