Maggie Brown (singer)

Maggie Brown
Born Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Vocalist, spoken word artist, actress, music producer
Website www.maggiebrown.com

Maggie Brown is a vocalist, spoken word artist, actress, and music producer.

She was born and raised in Hyde Park, Illinois, on the south side of Chicago. She sings in many genres: jazz, blues, R&B, soul, and spoken word. She is the daughter of the late Oscar Brown Jr., a composer and social activist. Her singing style has been described by James Walker as "transcend[ing] limitations and genres, while still maintaining her unique unmistakable voice."[1] She is a protege of Oscar Brown Jr. and Abbey Lincoln. She uses music to educate, what she calls "edutainment", a word that she learned from her father. She gives talks and demonstrations on music and African American musical history. She performs with her sister, Africa Brown. They perform their work and their father's work.[2]

"The Snake" was written in 1963 by Oscar Brown Jr and released by Al Wilson in 1968. It was used by Donald Trump at rallies during his bid for presidency. The Brown family asked him not to use their father's song, which is about a woman who takes in an ailing snake that turns on her.[3][4] Maggie Brown and Africa Brown stated that when Donald Trump read "The Snake" he was referring to the snakes as refugees and the caring woman as America. They disapproved of the analogy.[5]

Early life

Maggie Brown grew up in a musical household, experiencing rehearsals and jam sessions. She studied music, theater and voice at Columbia College in Chicago. Maggie was 15 when she had her professional debut. It was at the Body Politic Theatre in Chicago. Her father Oscar Brown, Jr. was in the audience. She is the sister of Oscar Brown III. He was a well known Jazz bassist who performed also with their father. He died in 1996 from a car accident. Oscar Brown III, Maggie and Africa performed with their father. [6]

Career

In 1995 Ms. Brown established her own independent record label Mag Pie Records. In 1995 she published her first album "From My Window". It was nominated for a Chicago Music Award for Best Jazz CD in 1995. In 1996 she was nominated for another Chicago Music Award for Best Jazz Performer.

In 1998 she performed at the Schomburg Center in 'Harlem', New York City with her father Oscar Brown, Jr.

In 1999 Maggie does vocal duet with Abby Lincoln on the album "Wholly Earth", released on the Verve label. She has performed duets with Jonathan Butler, on Urban Knights album, Urban Knights II.

Maggie Brown has a travelling one woman show called 'Legacy'. Her one-woman show chronicles the history and evolution of African American music. The show encumbers a wide range of musical forms and genres. She has toured for over 19 years with her one-woman show, "Legacy: Our Wealth of Music". She uses art to educate the young and the old about life, history, and music. She collaborated with Abbey Lincoln on a 1999 album called 'Wholly Earth'.[2][7]

In 2015 the Brown family, and Maggie and Africa Brown performed at the naming of Harper Street, between 52nd and 53rd as Oscar Brown, Jr. Way.[8]

In 2016 Maggie and her sister Africa Brown worked together to revive the Blue Gargoyle; a Hyde Park community center. The community center closed in 2009. It provided job training, social services, family counseling, music and art training. The art center dates back to 1965.

The Brown sisters have developed community-based shows.[9] Which is similar to the work that their father did giving exposure to young talent. In 1967 Oscar Brown Jr. collaborated with members of the Blackstone Rangers. The Blackstone Rangers a Gang in Chicago. They collaborated and created a musical called "Opportunity Please Knock". The first weeks of the show about 8,000 people attended which was performed at Chicago's Presbyterian Church.[10]

Awards and nominations

  • Chicago Music Awards nominated - Her first CD 'From My Window' was nominated for the Chicago Music Award.[1]

Affiliations

Eleven Jazzy Divas Studio Recordings with

  • Kelan Phil Cohran
  • Ramsey Lewis
  • Stevie Wonder
  • Abbey Lincoln
  • Oscar Brown, Jr (her father)

References

  1. 1 2 "Maggie Brown".
  2. 1 2 "Remembering Jazz Singer And Activist Abbey Lincoln".
  3. ↑ Weber, Lara. "Donald Trump likes to read "The Snake" at his rallies. The author's family wants him to stop".
  4. ↑ Evon, Dan. "Donald Trump Reads 'The Vicious Snake'".
  5. ↑ "Oscar Brown Jr's daughter wants Trump to stop reading her dad's 'Snake' lyrics at rallies".
  6. ↑ "Oscar Brown Iii, 38, Chicago Jazz Artist".
  7. ↑ "Maggie Brown". 20 December 2013.
  8. ↑ Radio, WDCB Public. "Oscar Brown Jr honored with street naming ceremony in Hyde Park (Music Lounge) - 90.9fm WDCB".
  9. ↑ Reich, Howard. "Maggie Brown and friends make music for a noble cause".
  10. ↑ ayanacontreras (4 January 2012). "Opportunity Please Knock Chorus: oscar brown, jr.'s collaboration with the blackstone rangers".
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