We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kieran Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kieran, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Thank you so much for having me!
The most meaningful project I have worked on has to be my debut album, ‘Loving You’ which will be released in the summer of 2025 (with the first single coming out April 4, 2025). This collection of music is deeply personal to me and shows an intimate side of my artistry that I have yet to show. The album is a reflection of the last 3 years of my life and navigating the world as a young woman. Over the last few years I have experienced love, loss, change, and have grown into the woman I am today. My hope is that audiences can hear a unique blend of the past and present, and my deep understanding and love of jazz history with contemporary sensibilities and diverse textural adaptability. I think there is something for everyone on this album, and the music presents deep themes and rich lyrics that transcend time.
The music on the album draws from a lot of my musical influences with repertoire covering several genres; Jazz, Folk, Classical, Bossa Nova, Musical Theater and more. It features two of my original compositions which I am very excited to share. I assembled an amazing group of musicians who play on the record. The music was masterfully arranged by Juilliard alum and guitarist Aaron Matson, and pianist Joe Block, arranger for Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, along with myself. The record features 15 NYC Jazz and Classical musicians. It truly was an All-star team who worked beside me, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by such talented, and compassionate people. And now, having performed live in NYC for 2 years, I am ready to share my music with broader audiences around the world.
To give some backstory on me, my love of Jazz began in 2016, when I received a full tuition scholarship to attend a summer program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. My experience studying jazz at Berklee turned out to be a pivotal moment in my career, empowering me to dedicate my life studying and preserving this music. At the age of 16, I sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden in New York City. My MSG performance led me to be selected to perform other Arenas in the Northeast. I graduated from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2022, where I studied closely with of some of America’s finest Jazz Musicians. I moved to New York City in April 2023 and my life completely changed. I became apart of this incredibly community and I have worked harder than I ever have in my life. Being a jazz vocalist and American songbook connoisseur is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I am so grateful to be where I am today!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a musical artist is being able to connect with audiences on a deep level. This is a privlege and an honor; something I don’t take lightly. I love sharing my music with audiences and having an emotional impact on them. If I am able to achieve that, I am the happiest girl in the world!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I am still building my audience on social media. It’s a hustle every day! I believe that when you create your most authentic content, audiences connect and engage more. Don’t compare yourself to others. That is a toxic cycle that will drive you further and further from your artistry! YOU have a unique voice and story that needs to be heard by the world. Stay true to yourself and never forget why you love that you do!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kieranbrownmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieranbrownmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KieranBBrownMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kieranbrownjazz
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/08MDssyQv84tafDVq5QmWJ?si=AjhUNOMeS86ZIBas0SzjyQ&nd=1&dlsi=b6f0751d709d4567https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15529026-kieran-brown
About Kieran Brown:
Kieran is a New York City based multi-genre vocalist, composer, and arranger. With a strong love for jazz, improvisation and songwriting, her musical pursuits present a unique blend of the past and present, as she merges her deep understanding of jazz history with her contemporary sensibilities, impressive mastery of technique, and diverse textural adaptability.
Kieran began singing at a very young age, but really fostered her love for music in high school, where she was fortunate to have wonderful educators and musical mentors. Her love of Jazz began in 2016, where she received a full tuition scholarship to attend the prestigious summer program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Her experience studying jazz at Berklee turned out to be a pivotal moment in her career, empowering her to dedicate her life to studying and preserving this music. At the age of 16, Kieran sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As a graduate of the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Kieran studied under the tutelage of some of America’s finest Jazz Musicians; Sachal Vasandani, Darmon Meader (New York Voices), Lee Musiker (Tony Bennett), John Raymond, Dave Stryker, Greg Ward, Oliver Nelson Jr, and Todd Coolman. She was a featured vocalist in the IU Soul Revue, led by renowned bassist and producer Dr. James Strong (Toni Braxton, Tupac, LL Cool J) and a member of the Grammy Award Winning Singing Hoosiers.
Kieran has a passion for a wide array of musical genres ranging from The Great American Songbook standards, American Musical Theater, R&B and soul, folk, Brazilian jazz, and classical music. She credits Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Barbra Streisand, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, and Claude Debussy as some of her greatest musical influences.
Since moving to NYC in April 2023 , Kieran has performed all over town with highly esteemed musicians such as former members of the John Pizzarelli Quartet Konrad Paszkudski and Mike Karn, Emmet Cohen, Joe Farnsworth, and many others. She regularly appears at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, Birdland Jazz Club, The Jazz Club at Aman, The Django, Chelsea Table + Stage, Mezzrow, the Green Room 42, and many other notable venues.
Image Credits
Photos by Coco Tolentino