Dr. Leonard Brown (pictured) is far from a typical academic. An ethnomusicology and music professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Brown holds joint appointments with the school's Music and African American Studies Departments, specializing in the study of African music as it has developed in the western hemisphere. He has also branched out to study the role and function of music in human life.

But it is his role outside of the university that brings him to Bohemian Caverns this weekend. Brown has also spent decades as a professional musician and has performed with the likes of Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, George Russell, Yusef Lateef, Alan Dawson, and Ed Blackwell. Tonight and tomorrow, the professorial saxophonist will team up with a group of local heavyweights, under the moniker Joyful Noise, to celebrate the launch of his first recording as a leader, a CD titled Suns of Sons.

"For a number of years I've been thinking of putting something out," he told DCist. "Now I’m at a point in my life where I can be about doing music instead of just teaching it."

Describing Suns of Sons, Brown said,"It's music of integrity and worth that pulls out the tradition of the black experience in America."

The five song set was recorded last July over the course of a two night stand at Bohemian Caverns. The first three tunes are part of Brown's "Family Suite," a set of compositions inspired by his wife, daughter, and sons. In addition to a reworking of the traditional "When the Saints Go Marching In", the disc includes the "Pentatonia", an original composition with a long history.

"I've been playing that tune for 40 years," Brown said, "and every musician that's ever played it has loved it."

Minutes into the first listen, it's clear that the musicians on the album love all of Dr. Brown's material. The recording features a rhythm section comprised of pianist Allyn Johnson, bassist James King, and drummer Nasar Abadey, all mainstays of the local jazz scene. The level of interaction amongst them is almost telepathic and everyone in the group receives ample opportunity to shine.

As Brown put it, "There are no egos in this music and it’s a wonderful thing working with musicians who are just all about the music."

For this weekend's shows, Abaday and Johnson will return, but King is on tour, so veteran bassist Herman Burney will take his place.

In addition to a healthy dose of original music, audiences at the shows this weekend can also expect a tribute to one of the District's favorite sons, Duke Ellington. 2008 marks the 109th anniversary of Ellington's birth.

"We’re in his hometown so I’m going to do a lot of Duke," explained Brown. "We'll do 21st century interpretations of his music while being respectful."

As far as Dr. Brown's expectations for the CD, he is setting humble goals. "I'm hoping the CD can give me some visibility and that I can put some stuff out there that people can enjoy and listen to," he said.

Leonard Brown's Joyful Noise will perform tonight and tomorrow at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.

Photo courtesy Leonard Brown