The son of music educators turned high school Principals, Grammy nominated drummer Otis Brown III is committed to honoring tradition while pushing the boundaries of genre. Having grown up in Newark, N.J. to the sounds of gospel, funk, rhythm and blues, and jazz, Otis believes music is a vessel for spiritual catharsis, storytelling, and advocacy. In his stellar career as a first call musician he has performed and/or recorded with the likes of artists such as Herbie Hancock, Somi, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Gretchen Parlato, Regina Carter, and many others.  Having played with a literal “Who’s Who” in the music world, he has also been a frequent collaborator in the world of modern dance. He has collaborated with MacArthur fellow and Doris Duke Artist Award winner Kyle Abraham and his company A.I.M., and has most recently collaborated with choreographer Hope Boykin and the Alvin Ailey American Dance theater for the premiere of a new work titled “Finding Free”. As a bandleader, Otis has also toured extensively worldwide and released his critically acclaimed debut album “The Thought Of You” on the Revive Music/Blue Note record label.  The highly anticipated follow-up will be released in 2025.

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Faculty Artist Series: Otis Brown III, jazz drums

Eastman School of Music

Visionary choreographer Kyle Abraham brings his accomplished A.I.M (Abraham.In.Motion) company to Berkeley for its eagerly anticipated Cal Performances debut, featuring three works danced to live performances of the music that inspired them.

Otis Brown III

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 23, 2026

Faculty Artist Series: Otis Brown III, jazz drums · Eastman School of Music

21 - 22 Feb, 2026

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham · Cal Performances

Future and recently performed repertoire

Drums in The Gettin by Abraham

Cal Performances

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