Earl Brown, your neighborhood saxophonist

Earl Brown, a pastor and saxophonist, is silhouetted as he plays his alto saxophone in the parking lot by the Publix in the Grand Oaks Town Center shopping center in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2021. Brown, who is originally from Detroit, said that God tells him where to go play in Ocala and he has acquired a large following of people who seek him out so that he will pray with them. When he prays with people he frequently asks angels to come and surround them and help them with the blessings of The Lord. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

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Posted November 5, 2021 | By Edith Sickler
Special to the Gazette

Earl Brown has lived a life full of change. He has traveled around the world and back, from humble beginnings to being a millionaire, being a pastor, and for now, being a street musician. An accomplished saxophonist, he can be seen at local malls, plazas, and occasionally, at a well-traveled intersection in the area. His enjoyable musical talent can be heard as you drive to nearby stores and parking lots.

He has been a jazz saxophonist since 1975 and thinks he may be the only street musician in the area. He produced a gospel CD in 2015.

But Earl, a soft-spoken man, has a vision. He believes God has called him to a much larger ministry. He plans to “celebrate” God’s leading in life at this point in history, ministering to those individuals who have spiritual needs. It also includes plans for religious concerts and theater productions. These events will require sponsors, he knows. Of course, he plans to utilize his saxophone playing abilities as part of this venture.

“Music is a ministry,” he said.

Specifically, he is planning for an aluminum/synthetic covered “tent,” built on a 100-acre country setting that will seat 10,000.

“I don’t have the money, but God has told me to do this, and I am believing that He will provide the resources to do it.”

Earl’s story begins in Ecorse, MI, on the outskirts of Detroit. It was a steel-manufacturing town, and his father worked in that atmosphere. When he was young and was expected to take a music course in school, the instructor gave him a flute to play, followed by a trombone. He insisted he didn’t want to play either instrument. He wanted to play the saxophone—just like an entertainer he had seen—but the school didn’t have one.

Earl told his father about the school experience. His dad took him to a small music store in the town and asked him what he wanted. He pointed to a saxophone in a case. Although it was a sacrifice for the family at the time—it was priced at $350—his father took out his credit card and bought it for him. He hasn’t stopped playing it since. He performed as saxophonist in the high school’s jazz band.

When he grew up, Earl started working at an automotive services company and grew in that company. He launched and was the owner of Efficient Quality Services, a company that provided “quality engineering and consulting.” He did business with the major automotive industries in the Detroit area, being sought after for his expertise in that field. He decided to sell his business to an international company.

During the time of running his own company, and also as part of the international company, he traveled the world to such far-reaching places as the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Sicily, Belgium, and South Africa. He prospered, married a pastor’s daughter, and had two daughters of his own. He was able to pay for all of them to graduate from top colleges with master’s degrees.

The international company that had purchased his business decided to move their headquarters to China and offered him the opportunity to travel and live there with them. He refused, and his income drastically dropped. They defaulted on 50% of the payment to Earl. He lost his job, and a bit later, his wife separated from him. He worked as a manager at a Walmart in Kentucky for several years before moving on to New Port Richie, FL, where it was warmer in the winter.

Earl trained in ministry, becoming a deacon in his church, a Sunday school superintendent, and then, after training, was ordained as a pastor. About eight years ago, Destiny Church in Ocala recruited him as pastor, and he accepted that call. The church fell on hard times, and when the COVID pandemic hit, the church closed its doors.

After being a saxophonist since 1972, Pastor Earl has taken his music and ministry to the streets of Ocala. He says God tells him where to go to play. He puts up a tripod sign that says, “King of Kings,” to identify himself and his message. He plays solo, or often with a recording. He relates he has often seen angels and believes they play a big part in the believer’s life.

He is sure God has told him about his future mission, and he is working to make contacts toward that goal. He accepts donations from anyone who enjoys his music and wishes to help him attain his vision.

While he was being interviewed for this article, several people came by to give him a donation. His accomplished saxophone music is a joy to behold, and he will witness to anyone who wishes to talk with him.

He is not homeless, as one might think of a street musician, and is confident God is leading him in this goal of ministering to many in a new way and venue.

He may be reached by email at earlbrowna2018@icloud.com.