Born in Jamaica, Ciyo arrived in England at the age of eight months old. Though a high academic achiever qualifying as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and specialising in the area of Housing Law, music has always been a dedicated and professionally nurtured constant in Ciyo’s journey through life. Ciyo is also a University and College Lecturer in Law and a range of other academic subjects and also provides private guitar tuition.

From early beginnings Ciyo was taught to play the guitar at the age of nine by his late father Lorenzo Alexander Brown after which he studied Classical guitar for a short period. Throughout his illustrious career, Ciyo has participated in several different aspects of music to include theatre musicals, educational seminars and workshops, studio recordings and live performances alongside a parade of internationally acclaimed artists.

This list includes Meli’sa Morgan, Glen Jones, Mica Paris, Melba Moore, Shirley Jones, Jean Carne, China Moses, YolanDa Brown, Omar, Judy Jackson, Imaani, Suggs, Caron Wheeler, Soul II Soul, Jazz vocal sensation Vimala Rowe, Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness), Ruby Turner, Royal Wedding vocalist Paul Lee, Annie Lennox, Damian Flood, Leo Richardson, Alex Webb, Jason Rebello, Soca Queen Alison Hinds, Jazz Warriors, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Paul Weller, Talvin Singh, LCGC, East London Gospel Choir, Chevelle Franklin, Andy Hamilton, Chakademus and Pliers, The I-Threes – Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley, Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra, Urban Soul Orchestra, Alex Wilson, Sonny Okusons, internationally acclaimed jazz guitarists Jim Mullen, Martin Taylor, Giorgio Serci, Nigel Price, Jamie McCreadie, Dave Cliff, Femi Temowo, legendary James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Sly and Robbie, Freddie McGregor, Little Roy, Horace Andy, Steel Pulse and Carleen Anderson. Ciyo has also been appointed as Musical Director for a range of coveted artists to include the likes of Ronnie Laws, Billy Paul, Hil St Soul, Johnny Clarke, Ann Nesby of Sounds of Blackness fame and Joyce Fraser’s (OBE) ‘The Story of Flip Fraser’.

An in-demand musicians’ musician, Ciyo’s ongoing collaborative works cover a range of genres. His talent has enhanced iconic popular music alongside artists such as Roachford, Raghav, Shara Nelson, through progressive Jazz with Soweto Kinch, to the ‘new psychedelia’ Brit-pop/folk influenced music of Bishi. Ciyo’s Jazz guitar contributions are also present in the genres of reggae and lover’s rock and can be found in his live and recorded work with many artists including John Holt, Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, JC Lodge, Errol Dunkley, Brinsley Forde, The Original Aces, Ken Boothe, Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Victor Romero-Evans, The Blackstones, Ginger Williams, Christine McNab, Paul Dawkins, Tradition, Bob Andy, Legendary Jamaican guitarist Earl ‘Chinna Smith’, Barry Biggs, Laurel Aitkin, Dennis Bovell, Cornell Campbell, Kiddus-I, Prince Jazzbo, Ray Simpson, Lorna ‘Sutara’ Gayle, Pam Hall, Jimmy Lindsay, Earl 16, Lukie D, Bushman, Susan Cadogan, Lorna Bennett, Kofi, Caron Wheeler, Pauline Catlin-Reid (Shezzie), Aleighcia Scott, The Cimarons, Luciano, Christopher Ellis and internationally acclaimed vocalist Winston Reedy.

Ciyo has also worked with Courtney Pine, Byron Wallen, Ronnie Laws, Jean Toussaint, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Horace Andy, Cleveland Watkiss, Steel Pulse, Linda Lewis, Tony Momrelle, Tara Minton, Jo Harrop, Alex Webb’s Café Society Swing All Stars and a host of others to include Royalty in Lady Gabriella Windsor. He counts quality time spent with George Benson, Phil Upchurch, Martin Taylor and Joe Pass as being amongst his most inspiring experiences. Ciyo is also a recording artist with his seventh album ‘Can We Pretend’ released in the Summer of 2022 and is the first Jamaican to occupy the position of Principal Guitarist in the West End hit show, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ at the Gielgud Theatre for over a year. A range of brand new projects are in the offing with release dates to be announced!!!