Piano, Brass
Jelani Brown is a dedicated musician and passionate educator with a profound love for instrumental music that traces its roots back to the vibrant public school music classrooms of Detroit, MI. His musical journey started at the age of 10 with student-led, one-on-one instruction on the Trumpet, where he was captivated by the great renditions of popular radio songs on brass and woodwind instruments performed by his middle school peers.
Joining the marching band in 5th grade proved to be a pivotal decision, setting the stage for Jelani's remarkable musical career. Displaying exceptional promise, he embraced the challenge of mastering the French Horn in 6th grade and quickly became known for his passion and enthusiasm in the middle school band. By 7th grade, Jelani had expanded his skills to include arranging, composing, and transposing music for all band instruments.
Throughout middle and high school, Jelani emerged as a model band student, participating in various ensembles such as Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, and brass and woodwind chamber groups. His success during these formative years led to a coveted position in the Southern University "Human Jukebox" Marching Band, where he served as the Mellophone section leader for 3 years and Principal Horn in the Wind Ensemble for 2 years.
As a member of the Human Jukebox, Jelani showcased his musical prowess in notable performances alongside renowned recording artists like Doug E. Fresh and Trombone Shorty. These televised halftime shows entertained crowds of thousands, solidifying Jelani's reputation as an accomplished musician.
After graduating from Southern University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Jelani was awarded a Graduate Assistantship to study Horn Performance at Southeastern Louisiana University. However, fueled by a strong desire to make a transformative impact on public education, he chose to forgo this opportunity and instead pursued a full-time teaching position in the inner-city.
Currently serving as the band teacher at Acadian Middle School in Lafayette, LA, Jelani brings his passion for music and education full circle. In a classroom reminiscent of the one where his musical journey began, he is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians and making a positive impact on the lives of his students.