#273 - Otis Brown III: Do Music Schools Really BREAK You Like in Whiplash?

Otis Brown III didn’t just grow up around music, he was shaped by it. With a father who drummed for legends like James Brown and Al Green, and a mother who was a classically trained pianist and choir director, Otis was raised in a home where rhythm and soul were a way of life. In this episode, we trace Otis’s journey from early church gigs to Donald Byrd’s midnight mentorship and on to stages with Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper. He breaks down his debut album, The Thought of You, the emotional power of drumming, and the unique pressure of leading a band. We also unpack Whiplash, the dark side of music education, and whether greatness comes from obsession, or in spite of it. Plus: his take on Kendrick Lamar, jazz-meets-hip-hop fusion, and the rhythms that speak louder than words. Guest bio: Otis Brown is a Grammy-nominated jazz drummer, composer, and recording artist who is a go-to session and touring sideman. He's studied under jazz icon Donald Byrd and trained at The New School. He’s performed with Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, and Gerald Clayton, known for his expressive playing, deep humility, and dedication to elevating music with soul and purpose.