I was delighted to see Vernell honored on the 54th NAACP Image Awards "In Memoriam" on 25 February 2023. Vernell was, and is a treasured friend, beloved SGI Buddhist buddy, creative jazz pianist who played like no one else, and a pure-hearted, humanitarian with a boundless life force that pulsates eternally! Monica and Karla McDuffie 

RIP Vernell. I still have the note you sent me when I wrote you and let you know I used your song Hot Potatoe in my radio show closing.  Your music forever lives on. You were so talented. Thank you for the music. God bless your family. 

To my brother Vernell, 
You're passing saddens me to this day, you adopted me as your brother that you've never had. We had a common relationship, we were both piano players, and we were both born on the same day. We would call each other, and be on the phone for hours just talking about life, the people in it, and what is next. I remember when you flew in the celebrate my 50th birthday along with your birthday out in Chicago, what a time we had! You are a man of greatness and innocence. I was always there for you when you needed someone to talk to when you were having a bad time, and usually every time I would get you out of that moment. You would also tell me what a great piano player I was, and I would laugh and say I could not hold a candle to your musicianship. I only wish that I could have spoken to you one last time, not knowing if you were in a time of need of a friend to talk to. It saddens me everyday. I feel that it is not fair for someone as special as you to have passed. My memories of you will never disappear. God bless you my brother.
Love, Joey

Today I got the pleasure once more of being able to be close (as possible) to "My Brother" Vernell Brown Jr. I got the pleasure of going to Middle School (32nd Street) AND High School (Hamilton High Music Academy) with my brother and played in Senior Orchestra and Jazz band with this extrordinary human being. I witnessed his success over the years and later in life we got to speak on the phone at all times of the night sharing childhood stories. He would call me from around the world just to talk before or after a gig. I will TRULY miss his soul and I'll always feel the pain of him leaving. I just wanted more time with him but he is happy and smiling still upon us knowing he left of with the beautiful music for us all to remember him by.  I sure know that piano is being played all throughout heaven. They are lucky up there to have him. Love you Carlita and the Brown family. Thank you for sharing his wonderful service with me!

Just sadness. I just learned of his passing. RIP, bro.

Condolences to you Vernell Sr. And Carlita from Chuckie. May God bring you comfort during this period.

Vernell was of my closest and dearest friends. He always taught me great things about life and was my musical mentor for over 16 years. He was the most creative and spiritual of of all souls I have ever met and is and will be dearly missed .

Today was a emotional day. Though there were many tears. We still laugh as we remembered Vernell. I am very humbly, grateful for my friendship w/ him. We met 3x. 2 times in Seattle & 1x Portland. He would talk to me for hours on the phone. (He tell everyone that I was w/ FBI. 😀 ) I'm just a HCA/ Singer, Songwriter.  I met Vernell though Mathew Knowles. They went to music school together. I saw him play at Jazz Alley . I sang on break outside to a producer who gave me her card. We had nice conversation about BLUES & song I wrote. 
I just remember I could talk to Vernell about anything. We would talk on phone for hours. I met everyone in band n had my picture taken with Kenny Garrett the 1st time I met Vernell. He helped me get through my dark days after losing my mom 2016.
He helped Kelly n I after we lost out brother Stan 8/13/61 -5/4/20.  Vernell would say I am your brother
He last words to me on camera before he past away. He said I am your brother then he laughed n said well not your brother. Words cant express how I feel about him but I loved him that's all.
Gina Maria
Now ya can meet my bro Stan.
Tell him we love him until we meet again V. Kisses in Heaven!
Prayers to family n we love you all!!


I was lucky enough to be vernell's neighbor I lived in Henderson on Ann Lane. We would speak of the NAMM music  convention. And I saw him I gave him a ride home from the store. Thank you for being part of my life VernellI'll never forget u.... Wesley Wayne Hackbarth Jr

OBITUARIO

Vernell Andrew Brown Jr.

13 agosto, 1971 – 23 mayo, 2022

Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

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