Greg Brown earned a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Master of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Music Education at California State University, Hayward. He has taught instrumental and choral music throughout the Bay Area and at elementary through Community College levels. Brown is currently Performing Arts Department Chairperson and Director of Instrumental Music at Northgate High School. In addition, he is a faculty member at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.
Brown plays the saxophone and clarinet in many groups including: Carl Kaiser’s Dixie Three, The Illusions, and Off the Top. Additionally, he has served as lead alto saxophonist and featured soloist with the Sound Wave, Bubba Big Band, as well as, the Dick DuPlesis, Frankie James, and Stuart Yasaki Orchestras. His performing and recording credits include work with such artists as: Queen Ida, Don Turney, The Bunyups, Mel Torme, Steve Allen, Diane Carroll, Diane Schuur, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Jeff Beal, Mic Gillette, Edgardo Cambon, and Terry Gibbs.
Brown is a member of the California Music Educator’s Association, California Band Director’s Association, and the Northern California Band Association. He has served on the CMEA Bay Section Board as Area III (AlamedaCounty) Representative and Jazz Representative.
Brown is active as a guest conductor, clinician, festival adjudicator, and presenter at numerous festivals, conferences, and local schools throughout Northern California. He has received accolades and commendations from the National Dean’s List (1983), Monterey Jazz Festival (1987), California State Legislature (1988), Pleasanton Unified School District (1988), Pacific Grove Band Review (1988), Amador Valley High School (1989), El Camino High School (1994), Outstanding Young Men of America (1996), Northgate High School (2004, 2008), California Music Educator’s Association Bay Section (2009), and Mt. Diablo Unified School District (2009).
The instrumental music program at Northgate High School has been recognized with numerous Command Performance awards, Unanimous Superior festival ratings, and First Place awards at band, orchestra, chamber music, and jazz festivals / competitions since Brown arrived in 1997.