Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

Ron Brown

Austin High School
Austin ISD

Saxophonist Ron Brown has played behind such greats as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Joe Sample, David Benoit, Soul II Soul, and many more. Whatever the endeavor, Brown continues to dig deep into the roots of every influence that crosses his path. Although his musical gifts are the forefront of his identity, Brown actively pursues a life in ministry and the promotion of gospel music. Being fluent in Japanese, Brown not only shares his music but also holds gospel workshops and speaks his testimony in Japan.

On May 8, 1997, the mayor of Austin proclaimed Ron Brown Day in Brown’s home town. Brown performed that day at Waterloo Records and that night at the Victory Grill on the city’s East Side—his old neighborhood.

A former teacher and youth mentor, Brown lives with his family in Los Angeles and has an office in Japan. Brown is founder of the Urban Dreams Foundation, whose goal is to inspire and motivate young urban people to reach their potential by teaching success principles through the arts. Brown holds gospel workshops locally and nationwide and has developed his own choir, composed of people of all nationalities united as the Spirit of Unity Choir. His passion for gospel and music has fueled the creation of the “Jazz in the Spirit” concerts, which feature some of the top artists in jazz.

“When I was a senior at Austin High, I played in the marching band, but I didn’t make concert band or the jazz band because I really didn’t read music very well. I played in the second-period band, where there was a mixture of beginners and students who needed to work on their music reading ability. Even though I was not a very good reader of music, Mr. Robinson saw something special in me, and he took time to work with me on my reading. He also saw my love for jazz, and he would teach me how to play jazz by playing piano while I would ad lib jazz on the saxophone. I was the kind of student who could have easily fallen through the cracks, but because Mr. Robinson was dedicated to teaching all of his students, I grew as a musician. . . . Mr. Robinson had a huge impact on my life as a musician. He was a great band director and a great jazz saxophonist. His nickname was ‘Corky’ Robinson, and he was my inspiration!” 

—Ron Brown