UpTown L.A. Brown

Uptown L.A. Brown has it's start in the fall of 2022! Four past members of Flashback the party band made a decision to put a party band together that would focus on working in the Charlotte area and provide a show for parties looking for a quality party band with a small foot print!  For decades, the members of UpTown L.A. Brown have performed up and down the east coast, filling dance floors and impressing audiences of all ages and musical tastes! Charlotte now has a high energy "top-end" party band that won't break the bank!

Uptown L.A. Brown is a six piece ensemble that features three vocalists up front.  "Uptown" Dwane Abney, "L.A." Lauren Ashley, and Motown Reggie "Brown."  With Lauren able to cover keyboards and Dwane able to play both keys and trombone, this six member ensemble presents an image of also having a two member horn section, which is usually only found in larger bands at a greater cost to the customer.  All six members of the band can sing, creating wonderful background harmonies and a wide song selection variety to keep the party going all night!  If the audience won't dance - no problem - this crew knows how to go out on the dance floor and bring the party to their tables!  Don't miss out on this show - bring the party with Uptown L.A. Brown!

Reggie started performing at an early age of 9 in the church choir. He joined the Navy at 19 yrs old. While serving in the Navy Reggie was a member of our ships band, having the opportunity to perform in Europe for other sailors and ships. After the Navy, he moved to Maine and formed a group with former service members. he was co-front for 3 years with GI3 performing all around Maine. Later, he joined a band “Shaker” who opened for and backed an Elvis impersonator.  Reggie performed as a solo act until 2000. From 2000-2007 he became the front man for another local Maine band “Colorblind” performing at weddings and various other events throughout the state of Maine. In 2007 Reggie moved to Charlotte. From 2007-2009 he became the front man for local band “Soundbridge”. 2009-15 he became co-front for another local band “Flashback the party band”..

Dwane and Monty met at the Lander University music department and formed a musical performance friendship that has lasted decades!  Dwane's humble attitude and ability to get audiences engaged with his singing and dancing, made him a crowd favorite with Flashback!  He's back again fulfilling the namesake or roll of "uptown" for this project.  Don't miss a chance to watch him in action!

Dave Starr has played Drums professionally since 1985 for multiple groups of different music genres. He loves all types of music and plays just about anything. He's been on tour with a world known boy band group as well as recorded on musical artists albums. He listens to Pop, R&B, Rock, Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, Country, Soca, Reggae, Calypso, Rap, Gospel, Orchestra and Cultural music. With this vast knowledge of music and years of performance experience, Dave Starr has become a valuable pocket drummer, ensuring every audience will have an awesome Dance Floor Experience!

Monty began performing on horns in concert and marching band in middle school.  He achieved Band Captain his senior year in high school and Most valuable member of the Lander Jazz ensemble as a senior in college.  While in college, he began performing on keys, and earned a spot traveling with "The Swingin Medaillions." After college Monty started "Flashback the party band." It had a 25 year run and is still going strong, but Monty and two past members of the band, Reggie and Dave, wanted to start a primarily local band - "Uptown L.A. Brown!"