Steve Brown (bass player)

Theodore "Steve" Brown (January 13, 1890Template:Spaced en dashSeptember 15, 1965) was a jazz musician best known for his work on string bass. Like many New Orleans bassists, he played both string bass and tuba professionally.

Brown was the younger brother of trombonist Tom Brown.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> In his youth he played with his brother's band in New Orleans. Because of his devil-may-care personality he was nicknamed "Steve" after Steve Brodie, a man who became famous for jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge on a dare. Few musicians knew Brown's real name.Template:Citation needed

Brown went north to Chicago in 1915 with his brother Tom in the first wave of jazz musicians to go to the city.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> He was a member of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings in the early 1920s, where his slap style on bass attracted attention.<ref name=":0" />

In 1924 he joined Jean Goldkette's Orchestra, with whom he remained until 1927, creating the first recordings of the style.<ref name=":0" /> In 1927, he joined the top-paying band in the United States, Paul Whiteman's Orchestra.<ref name=":1" />

Around 1930 he settled in Detroit, Michigan, which would be his home for the rest of his life. He led his own band and continued playing with traditional jazz and Dixieland bands into the 1950s.<ref name=":0" />

Wellman Braud, bass player with the Duke Ellington orchestra, once called Brown the greatest of all bass players.Template:Citation needed