Maestro Curtis, also known as Maestro Brian, is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 musician

Musician

A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....

, composer

Composer

A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...

, arranger

Arranger

In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...

, educator, author

Author

An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...

, and sound alchemist (sound healer).

Biography

Maestro Curtis a.k.a. Maestro Brian a.k.a. Brian Curtis a.k.a. Stro-Ra, is known for his musical versatility and voracity, with the ability to play any instrument, but most notably his piano and guitar playing, singing, composition and arrangement. He was born into a family of musicians his mother Lucille was a well known jazz, and gospel singer across the Louisiana

Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...

 bayou and later around the San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...

. Her twin brother Emile Cy Wong was a singer/songwriter on the late Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...

's record label, who christened the famous '60s singing group with the name, 5th Dimension. Maestro earned a scholarship to Grambling State University

Grambling State University

Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...

 where he attained bachelor's degrees in music (piano and voice), speech and theatre, and radio and televesion production with a minor in English and foreign languages. Grambling State University

Grambling State University

Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...

 is home of the world famous Grambling tiger marching band under the direction of the late Conrad Hutchenson. While matriculating at Grambling's music department, Maestro was a student of world-renowned classical organist and pianist Curtis Mayo and pianist Delmar Wykoff, whose students were such notables as Joe Sample

Joe Sample

Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample is an American pianist, keyboard player and composer.He is one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, the band which became simply The Crusaders in 1971, and remained a part of the group until its final album in 1991 .- Biography :Sample began playing the piano...

 and Ronnie Laws

Ronnie Laws

Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Laws is an American jazz, blues and funk saxophonist. He is the younger brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws.-Biography:...

 just to name a few. During his undergraduate studies, Maestro was a member of a gospel group, "The Father's Children", who traveled with the president of Grambling, Joseph B. Johnson, as ambassadors for the university. It was during this three-year period that he sang and performed with the late Reverend James Cleveland

James Cleveland

The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...

, Bobby Jones (singer)

Bobby Jones (singer)

Bobby Jones is a Grammy Award–winning Gospel music singer and television host from Nashville, Tennessee and the host and executive producer of several cable television's gospel music program including Bobby Jones Gospel.-Career:Jones has produced programs for BET since 1980...

, Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir master, composer and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He are best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" , which was included on the Songs of the Century list...

, Walter Hawkins

Walter Hawkins

Walter Hawkins was an American gospel music singer, and a pastor. Hawkins was consecrated to the bishopic in 1992. He died at his home in Ripon, California, from pancreatic cancer....

, Reverend Daryl Coley

Daryl Coley

-Early life:Daryl Coley was born in Berkeley, California in 1955, spending his formative years in Oakland, California. His parents separated when he was five years old, with he and his two siblings being raised by his mother in a solid Christian home. Musically, Coley was first influenced by his...

, Carlton Pearson

Carlton Pearson

Carlton D'Metrius Pearson, DD is an American minister. At one time, he was the pastor of the Higher Dimensions Evangelistic Center, later named it Higher Dimensions Family Church which was one of the largest churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During the 1990s, it grew to an average attendance of over...

, Andre Crouch, and the Staple Singers.



Shortly after leaving, "The Father's Children", he scored the music for two off-Broadway plays, Laid to Rest I and II that utilized all of his original Dixie and big-band compositions, which earned him the Louisiana Governor's Award, for Professional Artist of the Year. During this time at Grambling State University

Grambling State University

Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...

 he was appointed the vocalist, pianist, and band leader for the University's jazz band (and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...

), affording him the opportunities to play with such jazz masters as Joe Williams

Joe Williams

Joe Williams may refer to:* Cyclone Joe Williams , Negro Leagues baseball pitcher, a.k.a. "Smokey Joe" Williams* Joe Williams , achieved prominence in the late 1950s* Big Joe Williams , delta blues singer...

, Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...

, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae

Carmen McRae

Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...

, Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy Gillespie

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...

, (all of whom appeared at black institutions such as Grambling State University, to teach, perform, and share their knowledge with African American youth) and was the youngest musician ever to play with the Count Basie Orchestra under Dr. Frank Foster (musician)

Frank Foster (musician)

Frank Foster was an American tenor and soprano saxophonist, flautist, arranger, and composer. Foster collaborated frequently with Count Basie and worked as a bandleader from the early 1950s.-Biography:...

. After completing his bachelor's degrees, Maestro earned his Master's degrees in Orchestration & Arrangement, and Philosophy, and remained at the university 5 years after as a part of the teaching staff.

Curtis went on to play with musicians such as Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American soul singer and actress.-Early years:Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh...

, Will Downing

Will Downing

Will Downing , is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Downing is known in the contemporary jazz and R&B music genres for his rich baritone vocals, and his interpretations of R&B and pop classics that stretch back to the early 1980s...

, Lenny Williams

Lenny Williams

Leonard Charles "Lenny" Williams is an American singer known for his work in the R&B and soul music genres. During the 1970s, he was the lead vocalist for Tower of Power...

, George Benson

George Benson

George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....

 and the O'Jays and has produced with music producers such as Maurice White

Maurice White

Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...

 (Earth, Wind & Fire founder) and Hubert Eaves III

Hubert Eaves III

Hubert Eaves III is a keyboardist, songwriter and record producer. He worked on all of the hits by the influential dance act D-Train in the early 1980s. He also did session work with Mtume. Eaves was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was taught piano by his father.-References:...

 (the other half of the hit-making duo D-Train).

Musical career

Maestro Curtis and his group, Xpression, was signed to Maurice White

Maurice White

Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...

's (founder and lead vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire) record label, Kalimba Records, as a producer, vocalist, pianist, and guitarist. The group's debut album, Power, was released in the early part of 2000. Maestro wrote, produced, and arranged all of the songs on the album, except for the three songs that were either written or co-written with Paul Laurence, whose had worked with Grammy winning R&B vocalist Freddie Jackson

Freddie Jackson

Frederick Anthony "Freddie" Jackson is an American soul singer. He was an important figure in R&B during the 1980s and early 1990s...

.
Members of Xpression are: bandleader, songwriter/producer, vocalist and pianist, Maestro Curtis, saxophonist Regi Oliver, drummer Eric D. Brown, bassist Kirk Crumpler, and guitarist Anthony Michael Peterson.




In the liner notes of Xpression's album, Power, Maurice White

Maurice White

Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...

 has this to say,

"The band is named Xpression because when all five members of the band come together to play it is a true expression of their musical cohesion. The music on this record is the result of the collaboration between very accomplished msuicians, it is rooted in classic R&B with jazz undercurrents tailored for commercial appeal. It covers all the bases, it's energetic, sincere and sensitive. I hope you like it as much as I have enjoyed helping with its creation." Maurice White Maurice White Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...

Maestro sits on the board of directors and is the vice president of artist development for Hitman Records, an independent record label whose roster of artists span nationwide. The CEO of Hitman Records and Maestro were in an article "Topping The Charts" in the nationally circulated magazine, Black Enterprise

Black Enterprise

Black Enterprise is a monthly U.S. magazine which describes itself as "the premier business news and investment resource for African Americans" and claims a readership of 3.7 million. It was founded in 1970 by Earl G. Graves, Sr.. The publication is known for its annual listing of the largest...

, where he is pictured alongside C. Michael Brae, CEO of Hitman Records, working in the recording studio. The article describes how to navigate the music industry, utilizing techniques that successful independent record labels use to develop and establish new talent.



Maestro shares his knowledge of the music business in and out of his own private teaching sessions, via workshops, and music business classes. Maestro serves as a panelist at several conferences such as, Success in the Bay "What You Better Know About the Music Business" Seminar, California Lawyers for the Arts, 2008 Music Business Seminar, and in June 2010 he appeared at the Soul Music By the Bay Music Conference, where he spoke of the importance of studying music, empowering yourself, as an artist, with knowledge of the music industry, as well as sharing his own personal experiences as an entertainer, musician, and producer, signed to major record labels, independent labels, and owning his own record company.

Author

Maestro Curtis and David Gibson are coauthors of the best selling book, The Art of Producing, published by Hal Leonard and Artist Pro. The book guides the reader through step-by-step processes on producing a record, utilizing various techniques, and most importantly, remaining technologically relevant.
The Editorial review on Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...

 describes the book as:

""The Art of Producing" lays out a specific process for producing a music project from start to finish. Throughout the book, you will acquire specific skills and techniques for producing a high-quality production, and you will explore the many values that must come together along the way. From working with virtual recording, virtual instruments, vocal techniques, and MIDI tracking to picking a recording studio, and everything in between, "The Art of Producing" offers well-grounded concepts that have been tested and proven through years of success. Take these concepts, adapt them to your own personal style, and you will end up with a successful process that works for everyone involved."

Hubert Eaves III

Hubert Eaves III

Hubert Eaves III is a keyboardist, songwriter and record producer. He worked on all of the hits by the influential dance act D-Train in the early 1980s. He also did session work with Mtume. Eaves was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was taught piano by his father.-References:...

, who is the songwriter and producer of the hit-making duo D-Train, and who has produced with artists such as Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross

Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...

, Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...

, and Mtume

Mtume

Mtume was a funk and soul group that had several R&B hits in the 1980s. Its founder, percussionist James Mtume, previously played with Miles Davis in the 1970s. Other members of the group included Reggie Lucas and Tawatha Agee.-History:...

, had this to say about the book (see back cover of the Art of Producing) had this to say about the book:

"The book covers past, present, and future music production techniques for any aspiring as well as veteran producer. I've seen techniques in the book that I took for granted from years of experience, (good & bad). The book pin points what every producer/songwriter/arranger/ engineer and of course DJ/producer must deal with in a simplistic and systematic approach on the road to being successful. The book includes proven secrets & tips from a wealth of successful producers. I believe "The Art Of Producing" very rapidly, will become the aspiring Producers reference Bible. It is the most thorough book I've seen that goes in depth to the whole producers process of production techniques from start to finish. (I wish It had been available to me when I was searching to find out exactly what a producer does). No one book can guarantee "Hit record" success, but I would venture to say that with the wealth of information contained inside, "The Art Of Producing can save you from endlessly scratching your head and second guessing yourself, and everyone else involved trying to achieve it". -Hubert Eaves III Hubert Eaves III Hubert Eaves III is a keyboardist, songwriter and record producer. He worked on all of the hits by the influential dance act D-Train in the early 1980s. He also did session work with Mtume. Eaves was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was taught piano by his father.-References:...

TV/Film Projects

Recently, Maestro and the choir of San Francisco's historical Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, starred in Ron Howard

Ron Howard

Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...

's, Parenthood (2010 TV Series), on the Pilot Episode, where Maestro's voice is featured ushering in the comical "Frozen Sperm" discussion between the series characters, Crosby (Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard

Dax Randall Shepard is an American actor.- Early life :Shepard was born in Milford, Michigan and attended Muir Junior High and Walled Lake Central High School, before enrolling in The Groundlings school. He later received a degree in anthropology at UCLA...

) and Katie (Marguerite Moreau

Marguerite Moreau

Marguerite Moreau is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles on the television series Blossom, her role as Katie in the comedy cult film Wet Hot American Summer, and her role in The Mighty Ducks series of films...

). Maestro also starred in an independent Science Fiction/Action Film, "Origin", where he plays dual roles, which is being released in episodes on YouTube

YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....

.

Sound Healer

Maestro Curtis is an integral figure of the Sound Healing Community in North America. In addition to his private sound healing practice, he also teaches at one of the foremost sound healing institutes in the world, The Sound and Consciousness Institute, located in San Francisco. In 2007, the World Sound Healing Conference held in San Francisco, CA

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, he was one of the keynote speakers and musicians, amongst the leaders and pioneers in Sound Healing. During the final concert of the conference Maestro performed with legendary guitarist Stanley Jordan

Stanley Jordan

Stanley Jordan is an American jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and pianist, best known for his development of the tapping technique for the guitar....

.


Maestro infuses his music with sound healing techniques, in fact, the Nutri Energetics System (NES), uses the music that he created alongside David Gibson in a project called, "Body Field Sound Healing", which is referred to as "Imprinted Music", that is "encoded with information to enhance your well-being." The music that Maestro contributed is used in conjunction with the homeopathic, natural and non-invasive healing techniques that NES specializes in.

Instruments

piano

Piano

The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...

, guitar

Guitar

The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

, bass, voice

Voice

Voice may refer to:* Human voice* Voice control or voice activation* Writer's voice* Voice acting* Voice vote* Voice message-In film:* Voice , a 2005 South Korean film* The Voice , a 2010 Turkish horror film directed by Ümit Ünal...

, woodwinds, violas, harmonica

Harmonica

The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...

Associated Acts

Maurice White

Maurice White

Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...