Jewel Brown

Jewel Brown
Brown c. 2004
Brown c. 2004
Background information
Born(1937-08-30)August 30, 1937
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 25, 2024(2024-06-25) (aged 86)
GenresJazz, blues
OccupationSinger
Years activeLate 1940s–2024

Jewel Brown (August 30, 1937 – June 25, 2024) was an American jazz and blues singer. She performed alongside artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.[1] Brown was inducted into the Blues Smithsonian Hall of Fame in 2007.[2]

In 2013, Brown was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)' category.[3]

Early life and education

Brown was born in Houston and her family lived in Third Ward, Houston, where she attended Blackshear Elementary School.[4]

Early singing career

Brown began singing at the Manhattan Club in Galveston. She sang alongside Elmore Nixon and Henry Hayes, and also performed at Club Ebony. She won a talent show at age 9 at the Masonic Temple, which was located in Fourth Ward, Houston.[1] Brown toured Australia and New Zealand in the 1960s with Louis Armstrong and his All Stars band as a featured Artist.

As a teenager, Brown continued performing in clubs around Houston and Galveston. She went on to join Louis Armstrong's band in the 1960s.[5] She was introduced to Jack Ruby by James Henry Dolan of the American Guild of Variety Artists, Brown sang at Ruby's club for about a year before they had a falling out.[6] Brown recalled "I filled that place seven nights a week, he never gave me a day off".[7]

Death

On June 26, 2024, Brown's publicist announced her death from colon cancer at the age of 86.[8][9]

Discography

As leader

  • Show Time (Fantasy, 1988)
  • Milton Hopkins & Jewel Brown (Dialtone, 2012)[10]
  • Rollercoaster Boogie (Dynaflow, 2014)

As guest

With Louis Armstrong

  • Best Live Concert 1: Jazz in Paris (Verve)

Videos

  • With Louis Armstrong: Louis Armstrong – Live in Australia (DVD) (Euroarts)

References

  1. 1 2 Lindsey, Craig (June 8, 2022). "Houston's Jewel Brown, the 'Beyoncé of her time,' to be honored this weekend". Preview | Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ Sacksteder, John (March 13, 2023). "Jewel Brown – Thanks for Good Ole' Music and Memories | Album Review". Blues Blast Magazine. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Blues Music Awards Nominees - 2013 - 34th Blues Music Awards". Blues.org. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  4. ↑ Kesbeh, Dina. "Jewel Brown". houstonhistorymagazine.org. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (March 28, 2015). "Houston singer Jewel Brown revives her career at age 77". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hudson, Kathleen (2007). Women in Texas Music: Stories and Songs. University of Texas Press. pp. 135–6.
  7. ↑ Smith, William Michael (June 6, 2012). "Satin Doll". Houston Press.
  8. ↑ "Jewel Brown, Houston-native legendary jazz singer, dies at 86". ABC13. Houston, Texas. June 26, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ Welch, Monique (June 27, 2024). "'Keep a cool booty': Family and friends remember Houston jazz and blues singer Jewel Brown". Houston Landing. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Milton Hopkins & Jewel Brown". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
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