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Oscar Brown Jr.

As a performer, he acted his songs more than he sang them; as a songwriter, hedrew as much from gospel, the blues and folk music as he did from jazz. He preferred to call himself an entertainer, although even that broad term didnotgo far enough: he saw his art as a way to celebrate African-American life andattack racism, and it was not always easy to tell where the entertainer ended and the activist began.

His song "Brown Baby," recorded by Mahalia Jackson and others, was both a lullaby for his infant son and an anthem of racial pride. Other songs, like "Signifying Monkey" and "The Snake," took their story lines from black folklore. The album, "We Insist! Freedom Now Suite," for which Mr. Brown wrote lyrics to the drummer Max Roach's music, was one of the first jazz works to address the civil rights movement. His commitment to art as a tool for social change was most evident in the numerous stage shows he wrote and directed in his hometown Chicago.

Oscar Cicero Brown, Jr. made his earthly debut on October 10, 1926 at Chicago ’s Provident Hospital as the firstborn child of school teacher, Helen Lawrence and Oscar C. Brown, Sr., a prominent lawyer and real estate owner. Oscar was raised in a two-church house hold: his mother attended St. Edmond’s Episcopal Church, and his father was a member, and attorney for Pilgrim Baptist Church for over fifty years. Oscar Jr.’s verbal skills stood out early in his academic career as evidenced by thefact that he often took first-place in “elocution” contests. He attended Willard Elementary and Englewood High Schools, and by age 15, he had launched his professional career in Studs Terkel's children's radio series, called " Secret City ." His father, however, encouraged him to pursue a college career and study law, with the hope that he would take over the family business.

As a result of two “double promotions” in elementary school, he was only sixteen years old when enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1943. After attending several colleges and universities, including Lincoln University (Pa.) and the University of Michigan, where he excelled in English composition, but failed everything else, it became clear that creative writing was his primary interest, rather than academic study or the business world.

In his twenties, he returned to work in radio, spending five years as the “world’s firstNegro newscaster,” for a Chicago program called “Negro Newsfront,” where he also managed to include a musical menu, as well as poetic works by Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes. In addition to his media work, he continued to dabble in real estate, advertising, and public relations; but he soon turned to activism"both inside and outside electoral politics. One of his first jobs along these lines was as program director for the progressive United Packinghouse Workers union. Activism was part of his father’s legacy"Oscar Sr. had served at the helm of the Chicago NAACP, but had also been part of a nationalist effort to develop a 49 th state for African Americans. In 1948, Oscar ran for the Illinois legislature on the Progressive Party ticket, and for the U.S. Congress as a Republican in 1952"a party he conveniently selected in order to get on the ballot. Oscar was actually a member of the Communist Party from the time he was 20, to his resignation in 1956 at the age of 30, when he concluded that he was “just too black to be red.” From 1948 to 1950, Oscar played a key role in Richard Durham’s “Destination Freedom” Black Radio Days series. He then went on to serve two years in the Army, after which he began to pursue his hobby of composing songs by singing a little in local nightspots.

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4
Album Review

Oscar Brown Jr.: Sin & Soul

Read "Sin & Soul" reviewed by Robert Gilbert


Oscar Brown Jr. was a singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, author, performer, Civil Rights activist, television host, political candidate and serviceman, to name but a few of the hats he wore throughout his life. He also recorded one of the most dazzling debut records that has ever been released, 1960's Sin & Soul on Columbia Records. It remains a startling and refreshing listen. There is an enduring mystique about the debut album, that first opportunity accorded an ...

2
Album Review

Oscar Brown Jr.: We're Live

Read "We're Live" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


Today's musicians--and anyone with an interest in things jazz and the pre-Hip-Hop/Rap African-American musical and cultural experience--might want to examine the life, times, music and impact of Oscar Brown, Jr. Brown distinguished himself brilliantly in multiple worlds--musical, literary, political, theatrical and television. And he did it all, weaving a passion for life, America's art form and civil rights throughout each entertainment dimension.We're Live, recorded in 2001 at Chicago's HotHouse for International Performance, captures Brown, his vocalist daughters Maggie ...

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Wide Open Jazz and Beyond

Oscar Brown Jr.

Read "Oscar Brown Jr." reviewed by Peter Madsen


"While Miles Davis got top billing during this nine-day concert series--the star unquestionably was Brown. Night after night, performance after performance, Brown's presence, repertoire, and almost uncanny rapport with his audience added up to a unique entertainment experience... in Oscar Brown Jr. we have the most exciting entertainment figure in decades."--Down Beat 1962 How could someone that has been called genius, exceptional, beautiful and authentically hip by such diverse figures as Steve Allen, Nat Hentoff and Eleanor ...

198
Album Review

Oscar Brown, Jr.: Movin' On

Read "Movin' On" reviewed by Jim Santella


Recorded in 1972 as [Atlantic 1629], Movin' On was previously out-of-print and never before available on CD. Oscar Brown Junior's blues-rooted lyrics caused heads to turn when this one was released; and that was before sexual harassment and politically correct social guidelines became commonplace. Brown's original songs are mostly tongue-in-cheek political statements that allow the listener to laugh at various situations while tuning in on the rhythmic groove. OBJ's songs include advice for every day: advice about scratchin' for a ...

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342

Recording

Vocalist Cynthia Felton Releases "Afro Blue – The Music Of Oscar Brown Jr."

Vocalist Cynthia Felton Releases "Afro Blue – The Music Of Oscar Brown Jr."

Source: All About Jazz

With her beautiful voice and alluring style, it's hard to resist Cynthia Felton and her newest release, Afro Blue – The Music of Oscar Brown Jr.. Confident, sensual, and infectiously jazzy, Felton displays her pipe power and music knowledge thoroughly and proudly on every track. A testimonial to its namesake and full of irrepressible swing, Afro Blue goes beyond the status of a cover album and into the realm of undeniable masterpiece. Felton doesn't wade into the tricky depths of ...

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Performance / Tour

Linda Kosut Presents Tribute Show to Oscar Brown Jr.

Linda Kosut Presents Tribute Show to Oscar Brown Jr.

Source: Jizel Music

LINDA KOSUT A musical tribute to the life, legacy & spirit of Oscar Brown, Jr. With the Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble Linda Kosut begins her 2006 tour of “Long As You're Living," the songs of Oscar Brown, Jr., on October 7 at San Francisco's Piedmont Piano Company, October 20 at Anna's Jazz Island in Berkeley and November 16 at the acclaimed Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. These shows are, in effect, a birthday party for ...

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Performance / Tour

Linda Kosut Presents Tribute Show to Oscar Brown Jr.

Linda Kosut Presents Tribute Show to Oscar Brown Jr.

Source: Jizel Music

LINDA KOSUT a tribute to the music & spirit of the late jazz legend, Oscar Brown Jr. with the Max Perkoff Jazz Ensemble

July 2006 --- Linda Kosut begins her 2006 tour with “Long As You're Living," the songs of Oscar Brown, Jr. The show opens on October 7 at San Francisco's Piedmont Piano Company and then again on October 20 at Anna's Jazz Island. These shows are in effect, a birthday party for Oscar who ...

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Obituary

Oscar Brown Jr., Entertainer and Social Activist, Dies at 78

Oscar Brown Jr., Entertainer and Social Activist, Dies at 78

Source: All About Jazz

Oscar Brown Jr., a singer, songwriter, playwright and actor known for his distinctive blend of show-business savvy and social consciousness, died on Sunday in a Chicago hospital. He was 78 and lived in Chicago. The cause was complications of a blood infection, his family said. Mr. Brown was most often described as a jazz singer, and he initially achieved fame by putting lyrics to well-known jazz instrumentals like Miles Davis's “All Blues" and Mongo Santamaria's “Afro Blue," but efforts to ...

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