Born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, schooled in New York City under Randy Brecker's watchful eye and heralded as "Canada's preeminent jazz trumpeter" by New York City's Village Voice magazine, Brownman Ali leads no fewer than seven ensembles of his own, spanning genres from be-bop to hip-hop.

Between 2006 and 2010 he was the featured soloist with the legendary New York City jazz-hip-hop artist Guru of Gangstarr fame for his Jazzmatazz ensemble, replacing Donald Byrd in that group.

With his Akoustic Quartet featuring Nick MacLean, Ali plays jazz of the 1950s and 60s Blue Note variety, but with a contemporary edge.