Musicians, artists and entertainers involved in the various arts have simply experienced the creative void in the activity of Oscar Brown, Jr. since he died in May 2005 at 78.
Musicians, artists and entertainers involved in the various arts have simply experienced the creative void in the activity of Oscar Brown, Jr. since he died in May 2005 at 78.
During his life he was active in various areas of the world, however he considered Chicago his home, born here October 10, 1926 in Provident Hospital where his mother, Helen, endured 15 hours in labor as he struggled to live. In fact his father Oscar Brown Sr. said in his biography that he was forced to contribute blood for transfusions during the first hour, however the struggling baby boy was triumphant and he survived. Father Brown told his suffering son, “stick with it, you can make it” and therefore throughout his entire life Oscar Brown Jr. continued to fight for his life and also for the tremendous activities he overcame and accomplished.
From his home where the family lived at 225 E. 53rd St. Oscar C. Brown Jr. constantly survived with continuous vitality and overwhelming wisdom. It was early in his early years that he was recognized as a talented youth gifted with an overwhelming personality filled with love and kindness for his associates and family. It was music that attracted him first while attending Englewood High School and where at the age of 15 he thrilled audiences during his radio show “Secret City”.
Gifted with a brilliant young mind, Oscar Brown Jr. studied college at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, however he didn’t receive a degree. One became aware of the fact that his intellect was significantly more brilliant than his instructors because he was abundantly gifted with God-given wisdom.
Oscar Brown Jr.’s daughter, Maggie, is an artistic vocalist and continues the legacy of her father. Brown’s son, Napoleon, recently finished at Arizona University, but Oscar Brown III was killed several years ago in an automobile accident while traveling to aid a friend who was stranded South Shore Drive.
His father, Oscar Brown Sr., was anxious for Oscar Jr. to accompany him in business as an attorney or a real estate broker, however the son’s interest in the arts was inspired after Mahalia Jackson recorded one of his songs. Music captured his imagination and he used his exceptional musical ability first in collaboration with Max Roach for the creation of the song “We Insist! – Freedom Now”.
Immediately the song captured the essence of African American’s struggle for freedom that prompted Columbia Records to sign him to a contract as a solo artist. Oscar Jr.’s premiere recording was “Sin and Soul” produced during a five-month period of June 20 to October 23. Noted personalities such as Steve Allen, Lorraine Hansberry, Nat Hentoff, Dorothy Killgallen, Max Roach and Nina Simone became interested and involved in the exceptional progressive career of his talent.
It was Simone’s singing style that captured the essence of the composer’s tunes such as his “Work Song” and “Bid ‘Em In” along with “Afro-Blue”. The success of such ethnic originality of Oscar Brown Jr. created a special savvy, quirky and individual style.
Quincy Jones, also a native of Chicago and Ralph Burns were chosen to produce “Between Heaven and Hell”, a special musical creation, but was the only LP from Columbia Records that wasn’t released.
Oscar Brown Jr.’s exceptional talents consisting of singing, his dynamic rhythm and poetry moved swiftly as lightening in several areas which projected him as a compelling playwright and producer that utilized him particularly as a civil rights activist. Brown cut another album for Columbia Record entitled “The Snake” that was termed a Northern Soul classic, but the recording company at that time didn’t understand his unusual style and didn’t renew his contract.
The amazing young theatrical genius remained in New York and established the H.I.P. Legacy Foundation in New York in order to utilize his exceptional capabilities for the stage while blending his creative style as a writer. It was in New York that he premiered “Kicks & Co.” which Davy Garroway hosted on his “Today” show. “Kicks & Co” was also produced in Chicago at the Arie Crown Theater but Midwestern audiences weren’t ready for his style and he returned to Broadway.
Back in New York, the amazing theatrical producer next produced Muhammad Ali as the featured star in “Big – Time Buck White” that was successful and ran several months. Theatrical history records that Brown composed more than a1,000 songs with many having been published, some recorded in a dozen albums, and others produced in his musical revues and plays.
Musical revues were staged here in Chicago at The Regal Theater, Kennedy-King Theater, the Hotel on Stony Island, Hyde Park Theatre, South Shore Cultural Center, Arie Crown Little Theatre, Chicago State University, and featuring such productions as “Great Nitty Gritty”, “Opportunity Please Knock”, “Joy ‘66”, “Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow” and “Summer in the City” .
In addition to Brown’s colorful theatrical career, during the frustrating gang wars that circled communities of Chicago, the famous artist endeavored to use his artistic merits in bringing peace between warring youth by using his poetry, plays and other artistic and theatrical facilities to guide individuals into celebrating a better way of living with each other.
While the artist continued to earn his education in Chicago institutions such as Columbia College, Roosevelt University and DePaul University, the brilliant young genius entered politics and ran for office in the Illinois State Legislature and U.S. Congress, however he was unsuccessful in these areas.
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender.