K. Ryan Brown

Will Ackerman:
Grammy Award Winning Founder of Windham Hill

    "Ryan Brown was 16 years old when he walked into my Imaginary Road Studios. I’d heard his work in rough demo form and had agreed to produce his debut project based on what I’d heard.  Then it began.  Ryan stunned me with his capacity to pull brilliant performances out of himself; performances that were not only technically flawless, but deeply emotional.  The pieces came to life, one after the other.  I sometimes suggested changes in arrangement and even asked for whole sections of pieces to be re-written more or less on the spot.  Ryan never failed to deliver more than I could have hoped for. We had a week in which to record this CD, a feat even for a seasoned veteran of recording sessions.  It was simply remarkable.  

    One of the greatest things I can say about any artist in any medium  is that they have a “voice,” something that is unique about them and  what they create.  There are musicians I can hear three notes from and know who it is… their melodic and harmonic sense being so much their own.  It’s not something that can be taught.. you either have it or you don’t.  Young players often imitate players they admire and, if they’re lucky, will eventually find a voice of their own.  Ryan, even at his young age, already has a sound that is his own.  This is a musician who, without question, will be heard.  This is the debut of a very talented young man who will only surprise us all further as the years pass.  I’m proud to have been at the beginning of it all." 

Will Ackerman

Windham County, Vermont