Norman Brown is a jazz guitarist and singer who has had a successful career spanning over 30 years. His height has been a topic of interest among his fans throughout his time in the public eye.
Quick Introduction to Norman Brown
Norman Brown was born on December 10, 1970 in Los Angeles, California. He first picked up the guitar at the age of 8 and was heavily influenced by jazz legends like Wes Montgomery and George Benson early on. At just 15 years old, Brown was already playing gigs around LA with his high school band.
After graduating high school, Brown attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood from 1990-1991. He continued to play shows around LA and caught the ear of jazz label MoJazz Records, a division of Motown. They signed him and released his debut album Just Between Us in 1992 when he was only 21 years old.
The album was a breakthrough success in the contemporary jazz genre. Brown’s funky, melodic guitar style struck a chord with listeners. Just Between Us reached No. 4 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and spawned two hit singles still popular today – “Stormy” and “Let’s Take A Ride.”
Since then, Norman Brown has released 15 studio albums, 8 of which have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Some of his most popular songs include “After The Storm,” “Stay With Me,” “Better Days Ahead,” and his cover of The Isley Brothers’ “Who’s That Lady.”
In addition to his solo work, Brown has toured and recorded with other contemporary jazz greats like Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, and Dave Koz. He continues to have an active touring schedule, playing shows and festivals around the world.
Norman Brown’s Height
So just how tall is Norman Brown? Based on sightings, photos, and comparisons to other musicians and celebrities, Norman Brown’s height appears to be:
Around 5 Feet 11 Inches (180 cm)
This estimate has been backed up by several sources over the years. Brown has a slim, athletic build which makes him appear slightly taller on stage. But when photographed next to other musicians and celebrities, it’s clear he’s around the 5’11” mark.
For example, there are photos of Norman Brown performing with saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who is listed at 6’2″. Brown appears about 3 inches shorter than Whalum in these photos, putting him near 5’11”.
There is also footage of Brown interviewed next to sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr., whose height is approximately 6’1″. Again Brown looks 2-3 inches shorter, indicating he’s in the 5’10” to 6’0″ range.
Finally, Brown has been photographed standing shoulder-to-shoulder with singer Maxwell, who is listed at 5’11”. The two appear almost exactly the same height.
Other Clues Supporting 5’11” Estimate
Beyond direct photo comparisons, there are other clues that point to Norman Brown being around 5’11”:
- He is often described as having a “lean and lanky” frame, which matches someone near 5’11”.
- His listed weight tends to be between 160-170 lbs, typical for someone around 5’11”.
- When seated for interviews, his proportions appear consistent with a 5’11” man.
- He looks average height on stage, not markedly short or tall compared to his band members.
No Evidence He Is Over 6 Feet Tall
There are no photos or other evidence suggesting Norman Brown is 6’0″ or taller. He does not appear to try to exaggerate his height through platform shoes, camera angles, etc. Thus the consensus is he is likely between 5’10” and 5’11”.
How Norman Brown’s Height Compares to Other Famous Musicians
At around 5 feet 11 inches, Norman Brown is right in the middle of the height range for famous musicians. Here’s how he measures up against some other big names in the industry:
| Musician | Height |
|---|---|
| Kenny G | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| John Mayer | 6’3″ (191 cm) |
| Bruno Mars | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Eric Clapton | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Norman Brown | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Kirk Whalum | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Prince | 5’2″ (157 cm) |
As you can see, at 5’11” Norman Brown is on the taller side compared to guitar legends like Eric Clapton and Kenny G. But he’s average or slightly shorter than very tall artists like Kirk Whalum and John Mayer.
His height is very typical for a mainstream musician, perhaps helping him have such wide appeal. If he was extremely short or extremely tall, it may have hindered his success. But at 5’11”, Norman Brown’s height is just right to connect with fans.
How Norman Brown’s Height Measures Up to Average
At 5 feet 11 inches, Norman Brown is slightly taller than the average American man. According to CDC data, the average height for adult men 20 years and over in the U.S. is:
5 Feet 9 Inches (175 cm)
That puts Norman Brown about 2 inches above the national mean. Among U.S. men in Brown’s age group (early 50s at the time of writing), the average is also right around 5’9″.
So while certainly not freakishly tall, Brown is above the norm by a couple of inches. Compared to the general public, his height gives him a slightly more imposing physical presence.
Being on the taller side of average may also play to Norman Brown’s advantage as a performer. Taller people are often perceived as more authoritative and commanding. When coupled with his talent, his stature allows Brown to really own the stage when he plays live shows.
Why Norman Brown’s Exact Height Is Hard to Pin Down
With all that said, it’s difficult to determine Norman Brown’s exact height, for a few reasons:
- Heights are not always measured or reported accurately. Official rosters and profiles often exaggerate an inch or two.
- Heights can fluctuate during the day based on factors like gravity and spinal compression.
- Shoe choice, posture, camera angle, etc. can make someone appear taller or shorter.
- Most estimates for Norman Brown are based on comparison photos rather than measured heights.
Given these variabilities, while 5’11” looks to be in the ballpark, Norman Brown’s true height could be a half inch taller or shorter either way. Unless he were officially measured by a doctor, it is unlikely we’ll know his exact height down to the inch.
Conclusion
Based on available evidence from photos, videos, descriptions, and comparisons to others, contemporary jazz icon Norman Brown appears to stand around 5 feet 11 inches tall.
While not exceptionally tall, at 5’11” Brown is a few inches above the American average height. His slim build gives him a lanky appearance which may make him seem even taller on stage.
Compared to other famous musicians, Brown’s height is typical – not extremely short like Prince or Bruno Mars, yet not super tall like John Mayer or Kirk Whalum either.
His stature likely gives Brown a commanding yet approachable stage presence that has helped endear him to fans for over 30 years.
So while we may never know his exact height down to the centimeter, the best available estimates put Norman Brown in the 5’10” to 6’0″ range. And his smooth jazz sounds continue to hit the right notes with audiences near and far.
