Blair Brown

Blair began drumming in 1992 under the instruction of Doug Stronach. He joined the Milton Optimist Juvenile Pipe Band, founded and led by his mother Gail. The band went on to win two World Championships: Juvenile in 1994 and Grade III in 1997. For the 1998 season, Blair joined Craig Stewart’s corps at Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. Though the stint was brief, Craig left an impact on Blair, with one piece of advice that stood out, and left a lasting impact. “Always practice Care and Maintenance”. In 2000, he joined the 78th Fraser Highlanders under the leadership of Michael Hunter. During that time, he also returned to the Milton Optimist Pipe Band (renamed MacDonald Caledonia) as lead drummer. In the autumn of 2001, he realized a boyhood dream and joined the Shotts and Dykehead drum corps led by his drumming idol, Jim Kilpatrick MBE. Blair enjoyed many successes with Shotts. Highlights include winning the World Pipe Band Championship in 2003, and 2005, as well as the World Drum Corps Championship in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Blair spent two seasons - 2008/'09 - playing under his brother, Graham, for his second stint with the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, and three seasons - 2010/'11/'12 - learning under J. Reid Maxwell with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Blair returned to Shotts in the autumn of 2012 when new Pipe Major, Ryan Canning, was appointed. The band quickly regained position at the top of Grade I. The drum corps won the 2014 World Drum Corps Championship. In 2015, the season was capped off with the band being crowned World Champions. Blair is currently a member of the St. Thomas’ Alumni Pipe Band, based in Houston, TX. STA won the Grade II World Pipe Band Championship in 2019, and were promoted to Grade I.

Blair is one of the top solo drummers in the world. He is a consistent prize winner at the World Solo Drumming Championships. He has won the Gold Medal at the prestigious Winter Storm event, in Kansas City, a record 5 times.

Blair is a sought after educator. He regularly conducts workshops and teaches at piping and drumming schools worldwide. He is a certified judge with the Pipers' and Pipe Band Society of Ontario, and the British Columbia Pipers’ Association. He is currently based in Vancouver, BC.