For Daniel Brown, a professional jazz musician and founder of the Richmond District’s beloved record store NOISE, the roots of his musical journey trace back to childhood lessons at CMC. Introduced to CMC by his fourth and fifth grade music teacher, Robert Daniels, Brown’s early experiences at both the Richmond District Branch and the Mission Campus shaped not only his technical abilities, but also his lifelong dedication to music and mentorship.
“I first learned about CMC through my 4-5th grade music teacher Robert Daniels, a professional oboist, who after seeing my interest and natural abilities recommended to my parents that I take private lessons (at CMC if possible) to further hone my skills,” says Brown. Already nurtured by a musically inclined family—his mother taught him and his sister Sara classical piano—Brown’s early foray into violin and clarinet grew into a deeper commitment through private lessons with Josepha Fath, Rachel Condry, and later, the influential Harvey Robb.
“Harvey was hugely influential in my development as a musician; he went above and beyond his duties; loaning me one of his own saxophones and later an upright bass to learn on, taking me to hear local musicians like Noel Jewkes, Jules Broussard, who left a lasting impact and inspired me to pursue music as more than a hobby or job. Robb was a mentor, made himself available off the clock and became like family.”
Brown’s experiences at CMC extended far beyond private lessons. “I recall an afternoon recital at CMC during which Betty Wong hosted percussion master Zakir Hussain during which I performed a piece with him, as a teenager. In between my theory class and jazz band Saturdays I would often take my lunch to the 2nd floor and sit outside drummer Pepe Jacobo’s percussion lessons.” Those informal moments—soaked in the sounds of CMC’s vibrant musical environment—were just as formative as the structured instruction.
Brown’s passion for jazz crystallized during his time in CMC’s Saturday morning Comprehensive Musicianship Program (CMP), now known as CMC Young Musicians Program. “In ninth grade CMC granted me a scholarship to their Comprehensive Musicianship Program, a weekly Saturday morning ear training & music theory program with about ten students led by Urs Steiner and Janis Mercer to which I credit a large part of my ability to know exactly what I’m hearing and how to communicate or recreate those sounds.”
Brown’s musical sensibility grew with the encouragement of faculty like Ken Rosen, whose ensemble classes provided essential skills in arranging, composing, and leadership. “Having the opportunity to learn the inner workings of arranging & composing, how to effectively rehearse a group to achieve highest levels of accuracy, and the importance of camaraderie within an ensemble is knowledge I learned from Rosen that I find valuable to this day.”
More than two decades into his professional career, Brown says he continues to discover the ways CMC’s mentorship shaped his artistry. “While always grateful, the ways they helped shape me are still revealing themselves 20+ years later. Without the tools my teachers shared, it would’ve taken me much longer to understand theory and become a proficient musician.”
The skills and confidence Brown gained at CMC propelled him into the SFJAZZ All Star High School Ensemble—an experience he describes as life-changing. “Dr. Dee Spencer was our director, and this was a significant life changing time for me. She was another mentor who was like family, hiring me to perform with her band regularly at a young age.” Through SFJAZZ, Brown worked with legendary artists like Yusef Lateef, Joshua Redman, and Dave Brubeck.
In addition to performing and recording with artists across genres, Brown remains committed to music education. “Teaching is a passion of mine as well,” he shares, having served as an artist-in-residence at SOTA and taught private lessons for years. His first professional recording came at 18, with Cuban artist Fito Reinoso, and he has since appeared on a range of recordings across jazz, hip hop, and indie rock.
In 2015, Brown founded NOISE, a record store and performance space in the Richmond District—just 6 blocks from the CMC branch where his journey began. “One of the first moves I made after opening my record store NOISE in 2015 was acquiring a live music permit from the city. It’s no small task, but I’m elated to have become part of the fabric of the community.” Brown’s goal was simple but powerful: accessibility. “Music should be accessible to people who want to hear it, and I strongly believe listeners should not be turned away for lack of funds or an age restriction.”
NOISE became a haven for local and international musicians alike. “Providing a space for local, youth and touring bands all to share their sounds with a San Francisco audience is something I’m proud of doing.” Though live shows slowed during the pandemic, Brown looks forward to bringing performances back soon.
Reflecting on CMC’s lasting impact on San Francisco’s music scene, Brown says, “CMC provides opportunities to all who want to pursue music. The diversity of classes and performances CMC offers, the inclusion of music from all over the world, the fact that young or old people of any financial status can learn an instrument from highly skilled professional musicians, has impacted not only San Francisco’s but the music community worldwide in a positive way. Thanks to a scholarship and the opportunity for my mother to contribute her time at the Richmond Branch, my sister and I were able to receive musical education at CMC. That support opened a path to music for me, one I’m deeply grateful for. I always speak highly of CMC to anyone looking for lessons because of the inclusive and community-centered experience it offers.”
Brown’s advice to young (and old) musicians at CMC is clear and passionate: “You will reap what you sow. Meaning, the more time you practice, transcribe, practice, get together with friends to play, practice, the more you love and dedicate yourself to music, the more you will get out of it.”
“Take on the challenges, and try to perfect what is hard to do, don’t just do a lot of what comes easy because you’ll limit yourself… Don’t give up, unless you really don’t enjoy it, because playing music is rewarding and something you can do that feels good and makes others feel good too! ¡Que viva la música!”
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