July 18 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: World-traveled pilot and trumpeter Tom Browne returns to Vino Godfather

Like Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego, Grammy-nominated trumpeter Tom Browne, has a life entirely separate from his illustrious music career.

For decades the “Funkin’ For Jamaica” singer has split his time performing for worldwide audiences, only to retrace those international routes as a commercial pilot.

Flying for almost as long as he’s been playing, Browne received his pilot’s license in 1973 and flew charter before joining Continental Connections in 2001. Born and raised in the Jamaica neighborhood of New York, Browne’s joint music and flying career has led him across the globe, bringing him back to Vallejo for his performance at Vino Godfather on July 20.

This concert comes at a pivotal point in Browne’s career as he looks to the future. After 15 years of dividing his weeks between music and aviation, Browne will concentrate fully on his music when he hangs up his wings in October.

Originally Browne viewed music as a hobby. “I was a Physics major in college so everything I was doing was more or less towards a flying career,” said Browne. “And then I got offered a record contract out of nowhere and all that changed.”

Within the span of a decade, Browne had signed a deal with GRP records and launched his aviation career. “It was definitely a left brain, right brain endeavor,” reflected Browne. One aspect of his life was artistically focused and the other more cognitive, creating a healthy balance for the flying musician.

Juggling his schedule and maintaining that balance has proven useful for Browne when navigating the ever-changing jazz landscape.

“As a jazz player I try to stay flexible,” he said. “But I will be the first to admit that this whole smooth jazz realm has me perplexed.”

The genre-spanning musician who rose to fame for his mix of jazz, funk and R&B has had to adapt to accommodate the more specific sound, tempo and tonality of today. “Jazz used to be more binary,” Browne said. He remembers a time when the same songs could be heard on jazz radio and R&B radio because “radio was a lot less pigeon-holed.”

However, Browne is not one to pursue art for art’s sake. As a husband and father with one foot planted firmly outside the music world, Browne’s priority has always been providing for his family first and foremost. “If smooth jazz is doing that for me, then by gosh it’s gonna be smooth jazz,” said Browne.

“My whole thing is to be as flexible as possible in music, so I’m just learning to go with the flow and do whatever works so to speak.”

In an effort to do just that, Browne’s newest project has him working with music producer and smooth jazz guitarist Adam Hawley.

Browne’s accommodating approach to music mixed with his growing repertoire of styles means he can tailor his concert to the audience. For more intimate settings like Vallejo, he anticipates leaning more on the smooth jazz while also incorporating his classics. “I almost always have to do “Funkin’ For Jamaica” because no matter where I go people know that,” said Browne, adding that he “can’t get away from it.”

Curating a show goes well beyond the music for Browne, who says it’s “all about connecting with people.”

“If I’m out there performing and I’m playing what I want to play and no one’s into it or no one’s understanding it, then what’s the point of that?” Over the last decade and a half Browne has learned to tap energy from the audience, feeding off their enjoyment. The result is a symbiotic relationship between audience and musician.

Despite playing to worldwide audiences, Browne relishes the other part of his life — the one that has allowed him to maintain a level of anonymity. While he’s happy that the music does well, he’s pleased that there are people who know his song and don’t know who Tom Browne is.

“I like the idea of being incognito,” said Browne. “It just works better for me.”

One early incentive to remain humble came from his wife, who told Browne when they got married that If he ever got a big head “she would put her size-9 boot where the sun doesn’t shine.”

Browne took that to heart in the beginning and even earned a few enemies by turning down interviews. Now, Browne is happy to talk to people as long as it doesn’t require him pursuing notoriety.

“It’s a different story when you have to polish your own badge, so to speak,” said Browne. “I’d rather just stand there and be myself and whatever comes out of it comes out of it.”

IF YOU GO:

• WHAT: Tom Browne
• WHEN: July 20, 1-4 p.m.
• WHERE: Vino Godfather, 1005 Walnut Ave, Vallejo.
• TICKETS: General admission $40, Tickets at ftpresents.com

Originally Published: July 16, 2024 at 5:52 p.m.