Maggie Brown (singer)

Maggie Brown (born February 10, 1963) is an American singer, spoken word artist, actress, and music producer. A native of Chicago, Illinois, United States, Brown sings in many genres: jazz, blues, R&B, soul, and spoken word. 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]

This article is about the American singer. For the English children's writer, see Maggie Browne. For the American actress, see Maggie Brown.
Maggie Brown
Born (1963-02-10) February 10, 1963
Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation
  • Singer
  • spoken word artist
  • actress
  • music producer

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Brown grew up in a musical household, experiencing rehearsals and jam sessions. Brown is the daughter of the Oscar Brown Jr.and Maxine Fleming. She studied music, theater and voice at Columbia College Chicago. Brown was 15 when she had her professional debut. Her professional debut was at the Body Politic Theatre in Chicago.

Career

In 1995, Brown established her own independent record label Mag Pie Records. Brown published her first album "From My Window" in 1995. 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, Brown performed at the Schomburg Center in 'Harlem', New York City with her father Oscar Brown Jr. In 1999, Brown does a 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. Brown has a traveling one-woman show called 'Legacy'. Her one-woman show chronicles the history and evolution of African American music. The show encompasses 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][3] 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.[4]

In 2016, Brown 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.[5] 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.[6]

Personal

Brown's aunt is actress Judy Pace. Brown 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.[7] "The Snake" , a song that was written in 1963 by Oscar Brown Jr and released by Al Wilson in 1968. The song 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.[8][9] 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.[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)
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References
  1. "Maggie Brown". Hydeparkjazzfestival.org.
  2. "Remembering Jazz Singer And Activist Abbey Lincoln". Npr.org.
  3. "Maggie Brown". Never-the-same.org. 20 December 2013.
  4. "Oscar Brown Jr honored with street naming ceremony in Hyde Park (Music Lounge)". Wdcb.org.
  5. Reich, Howard. "Maggie Brown and friends make music for a noble cause". Chicagotribune.com.
  6. "Opportunity Please Knock Chorus: oscar brown, jr.'s collaboration with the blackstone rangers". Darkjive.com. 4 January 2012.
  7. "Oscar Brown Iii, 38, Chicago Jazz Artist". Articles.chicagotribune.com.
  8. Weber, Lara. "Donald Trump likes to read "The Snake" at his rallies. The author's family wants him to stop". Chicagotribune.com.
  9. Evon, Dan. "Donald Trump Reads 'The Vicious Snake'". Snopes.com.
  10. "Oscar Brown Jr's daughter wants Trump to stop reading her dad's 'Snake' lyrics at rallies". Cbc.ca.
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