James Earl Brown (August 8, 1926 – December 18, 2006)[2] was an American trumpeter, saxophonist and singer.
He was born in Great Bend, Kansas,[2] and learned piano before being drawn to other instruments, particularly the trumpet.
[4] After their marriage was annulled, Jimmy Brown moved to New York City, where he played in clubs in Harlem.
[3][5] Later he worked with Etta James, Nat King Cole, was music director for Debbie Reynolds, and played lead trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra.
[3] He moved back to the Twin Cities in the 1990s, and played occasionally with a local band, the Senders, until shortly before his death.