Biography
Geoff Brown is an ecclectic musician, multi-instrumentalist, and composer from Boston, MA. Gaining most of his training on guitar and mandolin, he has played in many groups ranging from funk and rock to blugrass, celtic, folk, jazz, and classical. With such a broad music background, he has carved a unique place for himself as an independent artist, drawing upon all his influences and creating acoustic music that reflects his compostional and improvisational trademarks in his recordings and live performances.
Geoff studied guitar privately, taught lessons, performed, and recorded during high school. After absorbing as much as he could on his own, he moved to Hollywood, CA and attended The Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) where he received a rigorous training on the instrument. He received extensive personal attention from Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul) and in either master classes, group lessons, or private sessions, studied with Wayne Krantz, Joe Diorio, Mike Stern, Pat Martino, Victor Wooten, Larry Carlton, and Robben Ford. While in Hollywood, he also performed in a number of bands, including a guitar showcase at the Knitting Factory. At GIT, he became a fluent improviser in several contemporary styles including jazz, funk, and rock-fusion music. In California, Geoff began to develop both the explosive improvising abilities and unique rhythmic feel heard in his funk and jazz bands as well as the keen sensitivity and depth that would later become a staple in his acoustic compositions.
After GIT, he attended Tufts University in Medford, MA where he received a broad education covering music history, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, orchestration, and conducting while continually improving his practical skills on his instruments through private instruction and a number of ensembles playing in many styles. Throughout his ecclectic career at Tufts, Geoff composed a large number of classical works for chamber groups and solo piano. He was elected to the highly selective Phi Beta Kappa honors society, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and recieved perfect marks on His Honors Thesis.
He studied privately with guitarist Tim Miller at Berklee College of Music throughout his college years and presently continues concentrated study with Tim in jazz guitar. He was the bandleader of a funk/jazz ensemble that performed extensively throughout New England. Keeping busy recording on albums with various bands and solo artists, Geoff has released 7 independent records under his name and has enjoyed great success performing his music throughout New England.
At Tufts, he participated in ensembles in jazz, Javanese gamelan, klezmer, and African music and had intensive studies on traditional "roots" music, both celtic and bluegrass with John McGann (National Mandolin Champion, Berklee Professor, Touring and Recording Artist) on mandolin.
A relentless dedication to diversity has brought increasing vitality to Geoff's work, his compositions as unabashed as they are lucid. The ever broadening scope of Geoff's interest and talent promises him a future filled with expanding boundaries and exciting, new collaborations. He currently composes, performs, and records with his group Hickory Strings.