‘Beatbox Sax’ Artist From GR Rolls Up Huge YouTube Numbers [Video]

Derek Brown is a touring musician who has returned home to Michigan, and his unique saxophone style is garnering big numbers online.

Derek Brown has pioneered a style of playing jazz saxophone that kind of defies explanation. I'll try: he makes percussive beats while playing, and can provide percussion while he sings between sax notes. He calls it 'BEATBoX SAX' and its rolled up over 30 million views on his YouTube page.

Derek grew up in Southwest Michigan and received his Bachelors of Music degree from Holland's Hope College. Following a teaching stint in Texas and basing his career out of Chicago for a time, Derek has returned to Michigan and now calls Grand Rapids home.

He will be performing two shows in conjunction with the South Haven Jazz Festival in September. Friday, September 13 with the Otsego Jazz Ensemble and Saturday September 14 with Jim Cooper and Nexus.

You can follow him on Facebook, and hear a recent NPR piece on his unique style.

In the meantime, you may see him on occasion performing around town. You'll know him when you hear him, because I'm pretty sure no one else plays the Sax quite like him.

WZZM-13's Kirk Montgomery recently profiled him for 13 on Your Side.