IT’S DJ DEE’S 60TH BIRTHDAY!!
Honouring the ‘man’ behind the Soul Music!
So, this Friday marks a big milestone birthday for our very own Soultrane co-founder Dj Dee, our in-house soul music extraordinaire!
I decided to create a post to mark this occasion, because if this blog is to be a home for all chats soul-related, there's very few people I know who lives entirely in his own soul than David Brown.
I met Dee through Siobhan (his wife, Soultrane’s founder and Queen Bee) and it wasn't initially via this channel. In fact, at the time, I had joined Siobhan’s community choir and we had a gathering at my house for food and to practice our songs. Of course, I’d met him before at other gatherings and jams, but one of my most favourite encounters with him was that choir day.
After all the food and festivities were done, he stayed behind for a few minutes to chat about the ‘craic’ including faith, community and current beliefs … and then he offered to help me wash my dishes. That day I saw a real man, a father, a community leader rolling up his sleeves and doing what he wants others to do: share the tasks, support one another, respect and value connections and effort.
It was one silly task, washing the dishes, but I’ll remember forever his hands in bubbles as he helped me without complaint, without me asking. I didn't ‘need’ it but that moment has lasted with me to this day as it was very precious and eye-opening to me about how the smallest wins together, (though I didn’t know him that well at the time) can make you feel like family.
Sometimes in life, the small things are the big things.
So, as much as he will probably hate this, let's honor his birthday today: his kindness, his ‘real’ self (that not all people will get to see or appreciate) by doing a small backstory.
David was born and raised in Belfast. He grew up loving soul, jazz-funk, rare groove, boogie, disco, deep house, gospel and latin soul.
He started collecting vinyl and DJing in the late 80s/early 90s.
He met Siobhan Brown — they bonded instantly over love of authentic, soul‑driven music; they then got married, built everything together from there.
The Soultrane Festival idea came after visiting Love Supreme Festival (Brighton) — they realised Ireland had NO big platform for soul/jazz of Black origin, so they created it themselves, with no idea how it would be received, just a shared vision of love.
It was 100% independent: no corporate money, run entirely by them and their small team, community‑led by people who shared their dreams and goals.
What I have learned about David snd Siobhan over the course of our friendship is the following values.
These values are non‑negotiable for him:
1. Authenticity above all — only music with heart, soul, real musicianship. If it’s fake, manufactured, or has no feeling, he won’t touch it as a DJ.
2. Respect the roots — honours Black origin of soul/jazz/funk; celebrates culture, history, and the artists who built it.
3. Inclusivity & unity — he wants everyone to be welcome. All ages, backgrounds, communities. Soultrane is about bringing people together, breaking barriers, family vibe, no attitude. Of course, if you disrespect it, you will be told! He will not be shy on defending the people he loves!
4. Timeless over trendy — plays 1970 to today; if it’s good, it stays forever; fads fade, soul doesn’t.
5. Quality over quantity — careful curation; he’d rather play 10 perfect tracks than 50 average ones!
6. Community first — supports local artists, young talent, education; their festival also runs workshops, talks, choir projects (with Siobhan).
As far as I know him, I can say music is medicine to him — he believes soul music heals, connects, and changes lives.
I say all these things on this fine 60th milestone, because regardless of age, you can tell when someone, who works as hard as he does for people, despite his full time job, can still wake up and go to sleep with light in his heart. Ready to show up again the next day.
I think it’s because it doesn’t come from the world, it comes from a drive deeper within, to leave this world one day having made a change. But really, the world should reciprocate, because if seen clearly, it’s a step we all can make in the right direction here.
Let’s put our hands together for Dj Dee today, whom our Soultrane family love, and say thank you for all your hard work. The seen and the unseen.
More than that, thank you for being a human being that through thick and thick, we are proud to stand beside.
Happy birthday Dj Dee.
