EPISODE 3: Nick “Brownman” Ali: The Life and Times of Brown
Toronto jazz creator Brownman is a force of nature. This restless inventive doc captures his prodigious talent, and contagious passion for his art.
SHOT, DIRECTED & EDITED BY
Alberto Suarez
ARTIST PROFILE
Born Nick ‘Brownman’ Ali, in Trinidad; ‘Brown’ is one of most in demand Canadian trumpet players currently. His recording credits total over 100 albums with studio presence at Sony and Universal.
REVIEWS
“…a thoughtful soloist with an intriguing blend of quirks and lyricism.”
Mark Miller, The Globe and Mail
“Between his endless studio and session work, sideman jobs with bands in the reggae and Latin scenes and his peculiar cult success in… Estonia, Ali has become one of the busiest players on the scene.”
Matt Galloway, NOW Magazine
“…jazz visionary…”
Sarah Cairns, View Magazine
“As both sideman and leader, this fiery young musician has played every major Jazz Festival and Latin venue in Canada, touring both this country and the U.S. extensively, has represented Canada at the Havana Jazz Festival, Cuba multiple times and is quickly becoming a known and sought after entity in Europe. One of the hottest names in Canada today. Watch for him!”
Scott McLaren, The Jazz Journey, CHRY Community Radio
“Just like his creatively restless idol (who passed away in 1991 at age 65, following a 50-year career), Ali is a prolific and adventurous spirit.”
Errol Nazareth, Eye Weekly
“Nick Ali & Cruzao…the finest Latin-jazz group Canada’s ever produced.”
www.latinjazznet.com
CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present…Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)
“We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life…”
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.
Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada’s most dynamic musical creators.
Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick “Brownman” Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada’s still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.
