dee Brown

“Summer Cruise”

THE NEW RADIO SINGLE - OUT NOW

After Detroit’s brutal winters, car enthusiasts from around the world roll out their convertibles along Woodward Avenue. All summer long, the iconic stretch builds toward August’s Woodward Dream Cruise — North America’s largest one-day automotive event. With that scene in mind, groove jazz guitarist dee Brown’s new Innervision Records single, “Summer Cruise,” is out now! 

The single previews Brown’s upcoming album, Living The Good Life, and continues his tradition of blending R&B and jazz with Detroit-inspired storytelling. Brown’s label mate Blake Aaron, who has crafted nine Billboard No. 1 singles, wrote and produced “Summer Cruise.” The track has the carefree sound of summer based on its laid back, fun, and funky vibes. Set to a retro go-go beat built by GRAMMY®-winning bassist Mel Brown and drummer Michael White, Brown’s electric jazz guitar struts, strums, and steers the jovial journey. While Aaron plays rhythm guitar to embellish the groove, Michael Parlett’s saxophone copilots the single with passion, power, and panache. 13-time GRAMMY® nominee Tyries Rolfe polishes the ride with lustrous strings and Carnell Harrell’s vibrant keyboard sweetens the harmonies.

Brown and Aaron collaborated on the 2024 single “Wes 8Mile” that appears on Brown’s 2025 Mister Smooth album.
That was another outing influenced by Brown’s hometown culture.

Upcoming Live Dates

Dates are added regularly.

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Discography

Spotify playlist

ALBUMS

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CD’s are available from Innervision Records

SINGLES

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Videos

OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEOS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES

About dee

dee Brown is a contemporary smooth and groove jazz guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer from Detroit, Michigan. Born as the youngest of three children, his musical upbringing was shaped by a rich blend of styles—his father George was a devoted fan of classic jazz greats like Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and Cannonball Adderley, while his mother Roceal loved Motown and soul artists such as the Four Tops, Jackson 5, and James Brown. This fusion of sophisticated jazz and soulful R&B grooves became a defining element of his sound.

Brown first became interested in the guitar during elementary school after watching a classmate play songs by ear. His grandmother gifted him his first guitar for Christmas, and he began taking lessons with dreams of playing like B.B. King. Although he started as a vocalist, he quickly gravitated toward the guitar. In high school, he formed a group called Foreplay that gained local attention, even drawing interest from producer Quincy Jones. After college, he formed an R&B group called One Wish, which released an album and scored a top 100 single with “Tell Me Why.”

Later, Brown collaborated with saxophonist Gentry Shelby under the name Shelby Brown, releasing the album Miracle. The track “Come Into My Heart” reached #1 on the DMX Smooth Jazz chart. His solo career took off in 2007 with the album No Time to Waste, where he showcased his talents as a guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger. He has continued releasing music in the smooth jazz genre, including the 2025 album Mister Smooth, along with singles such as “Summer Cruise” and “Wes 8Mile,” the latter paying homage to his Detroit roots.

Known for his melodic, high-energy, and emotionally resonant style, Dee Brown blends smooth jazz with R&B, funk, and soul grooves. He has performed and shared stages with notable artists including Al Jarreau, Gerald Albright, Bob James, Brian Culbertson, Spyro Gyra, Najee, Jeffrey Osborne, Aretha Franklin, and The Winans. He remains active in the smooth jazz scene, often described as one of its best-kept secrets, with a strong following for his live performances and consistent releases.