Oscar Brown Jr. RIP

NO!

I just downloaded a bunch of his stuff last week.

So sad. He was a great one.

Hello, I just wanted to say, Thank you Oscar Brown Jr. for your contribution to the Arts. I will sit with my children and teach them about their history through the teachings of many wonderful people, and you are one of them. May God bless you and your family.

I found out about Oscar Brown Jr. a few years ago
while downloading music off the net. I was so
excited about the music that I just had to share
with my best friend. I didn't know she was the
great Oscar Brown's granddaughter. I was
red faced for a month and I deleted his music
from my computer. I didn't want to steal from
such great talent.
I had the honor of speaking to him over the phone
one day while I was at work and just couldn't
speak-I was so excited!
When I was told he wasn't going to be with us for
much longer I cried for week. I kept thinking
to myself-how sad is this, now my best friend
will be without a grandfather too..-

RIP Oscar Brown.

It was a pleasure and an honor to have heard
your voice and I feel blessed to have met your
family.

Thank you all for your wonderful words about my grandfather, Oscar Brown Jr. We have always grown up to be very humble when it comes to this man's talent and contributions to the greater society, and so you can imagine the pride that wells up to see that he will be truly missed and his work continues to be appreciated.

i have never heard of oscar brown jr. unitl i saw him of russell simmon's def poetry jam, last saturday, and from his short poem 'beaches' you can see it in his eyes that he ahs seen alot of pain in his lifetime. his powersul delivery made you(the audience) see what he was telling us.
i will continue to learn and appreciate his work.
powerfull man! RIP
peace

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The year was like 1959. The bar had a stage, ya know, behind the bar. South side, I wanna say 63rd St. 3 white boys, age 17. They let us in. Oscar Brown Jr sang, "God Bless The Child". He made an indelible impression on us; bought his album. 1963: Newport Jazz Festival, on the beach. Everyone's playing a song OBJ put words to, originally released by Cannonball, ..."Breakin up big rocks on a chain gang...". By the way, we also caught Nancy Wilson at that same bar...what an era! OBJ, you were a real honest voice crying out for your people. God Bless OBJ.

I have just discovered the work of Oscar Brown Jr having just returned from the burial of my father-in-law in Berlin. I thought you would like to know that 'Hey Daddy' was played at the ceremony. My father-in-law was a scientist who worked in the US during the 1950's and always treasured 'Sin & Soul' as a reminder of his time in the States. I have now returned to London with my family and a love for this wonderful music.

Peace & Love

I am in shock because I did not know that Oscar Brown Jr. had passed. I knew Oscar when I was a child. My mother performed with him, Oscar and Africa stayed with us for a little while during a production he was doing in Baltimore. People never believe me when I tell them that Africa and I used to have Oprah as a babysitter. She kept us only a couple of times when she was on tv in Baltimore. If anyone is in contact with Africa please have her get in touch with me. I am working with children and doing gang prevention in Washington DC and Maryland. My mother and I loved Oscar Brown Jr. and always talked about him. I was so excited when I saw him on the Russel Simmons Poetry Jam.

My email address is stantongroup@verizon.net

Peace & Love
To the family of Oscar Brown Jr.

I know I'm late, but I learned that Mr. Brown had passed while watching the Grammy awards this evening. I had no idea. I first saw him on Def Poetry Jam, and I thought his piece was so moving. He must have been something to those who knew him in person! :) I consider myself fortunate to have seem him perform, if only once. My heartfelt condolences to the Brown family. Godspeed, Mr. Brown.

My father used to play Oscar Brown Jr's music when I was a small child and I remember it well. For some reason the songs stuck with me. When he passed his albums were given to my older sister. I was very sad to hear of his passing last night while I was watching the Grammy's. I still hear some of the songs in my head. Hazel's Hips is one I remember very fondly. I will be stopping at the record store on my way home to find a cd. My condolences to his family. He was a great talent.

I know I'm very late, but I am saddened by the death of Oscar Brown, Jr. I have an internet radio show and I'd just played, in observance of Black History Month, his "Forty Acres And A Mule" when a listener informed me of his passing last May.

As a white youth still in my teens, and just before the Civil Rights movement had come into full gear, I discovered Mr. Brown's "Sin And Soul" album. I believe to this day that that album, with its unique blend of declaration of ethnic pride, overall warmth, and humor, informed my own sensibilities more than any other single factor. Even as years went by when I might not have listened to it, I could still sing almost all the lyrics verbatim.

"We've been working... working... but we've still got so terrible long to go....". Rest in wonderful peace, Mr. Brown. You earned it so beautifully.

I grew up in the seventies to the voice of Oscar Brown Jr., whoose Sin & Soul album was in my parents record collection. He is one of the most expressive singers I have ever heard, and I feel fortunate that my parents introduced me to his music at such an early age. Today I am a musician myself, and he is partly to blame! ;-)

In 1976 a man I was dating took me to The Earl Of Oldtown and introduced me to OBJ! Aaahh. The same man gifted me with an album (yes vinyl) that I still cherish - "Between Heaven and Hell" Hazel's Hips, New Love is Like A New Born Child, aahh. For the next several years when he was playing in town I was there. Entranced by the man's magic. Ten years later I was married and then expecting a child, going out to clubs really slowed down. 1993 we moved to Albuquerque. 1995 my daughter and I returned to Chicago to visit. Imagine my delight to find OBJ doing a noon time concert in my favorite Chicago building, The Cultural Center, that meant I could take my little girl who had been hearing the man's music since she was in my womb. We had a wonderful afternoon and after the concert I took her up to introduce her, I thought to say "We live in Albuquerque now." and somehow just censored that and did not say it. At the end of summer, back in Abq my girl was starting 2nd grade and on the first day of school we met a little brown child, named Oscar Brown. Boy, what is your Daddy's name? Oscar Brown. And what is your Granddaddy's name? Oscar Brown. A quick check with the teacher and I learned that Little Oscar was indeed very close to his Dad, OB III - the next day I brought the album to class, we found a turntable and first I handed the album to Little Oscar and his eyes got wide and happy and he said "My Dad!" "No, sweetie, that's your GrandDad." Little Oscar was the star of the day as we played his GrandDaddy's record and the kids danced to Hazel's Hips. And I thought little enough for me to do to say Thanks to the man who has given me so much pleasure through his music. Through the course of the school year I got close to Oscar's Mom and toward spring she told me Oscar was going to live in Chicago with his Dad the next year. And that was the summer of 1996.
I miss Bo and now, just today I learned that OBJ has left the planet. It's late - but please know I send love and light to all who mourn and celebrate this man.
I would love to be in touch with Little Oscar and his Mom - does anyone know where I can reach them?
My email is Maran@MaranBanta.com
be well
Maran

I cannot find the poem he recited at def poetry. It touched me. I still cannot forget that wonderful poem. I think it was called "the beach"/

I am also looking for the poem Oscar Brown Jr. recited on def poetry called "The Beach". If there is a copy on line please tell me where I can find it.

The poem was called "This Beach." Oscar Brown Jr's eldest son, Napoleon, sent it to me upon his father's death. Yes, it is a masterpiece. Almost a year later, I still am deeply saddened by his passing!
To the person who asked about Oscar III, or "Beau Brown," I'm sorry to report that he was killed a number of years ago in a car accident. He had become his father's bass player and they were in Philadelphia, preparing for a run of performances at a club here. Beau was killed instantly, OBJ was very badly injured, and his daughter (Maxine?) flew in to do the shows. A profoundly sad incident, but illustrative of the strength and resolve of this marvelous family headed by the great "griot of jazz," Oscar Brown, Jr.

Sorry...it was MAGGIE Brown who did the show at Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia following the tragic car accident that killed her brother and critically injured her father. Anyway, I tried to go to OBJ's website to find the poem, but the site was temporarily down. I've E-mailed Napoleon, and am awaiting his response.

I was first exposed to OBJ through his Broadway show,"Joy." It made a deep impression on me in the early 70's. I was thrilled to see him on Russel Simmon's Def Poetry Jam and played his performance of a poem I call "I Apologize" for a poetry therapy group that I run as part of my counseling practice in Michigan. I was inspired to write the following poem that night and only learned today that it is too late to send it to him. I trust that he can see it with the clearest of eyes now that he is free. To his family, let me offer a quote from James J. Barrie, the man who wrote Peter Pan. The quote is this: "God grants us memories so we may have roses in the winter." Oscar Brown, Jr. left us a bouquet like no other could have.

I Apologize: For Oscar Brown, Jr.

I apologize
for bein' white
for not seein' you
in the proper light.

I apologize
for walkin' through
doors open to me
that were closed to you.

I apologize
for standing tall
for not realizin'
how hard your fall.

I apologize
for all things slanted
that gave me advantage
you never were granted.

I apologize
for not stickin' out
in classrooms and movies
or just bein' out and about.

I apologize
for not knowin' to see
that neither one of us
were every truly free.

Domenic Tamborriello
Copyright September 28, 2005
10:05 - 10:25 PM

I felt that Mr. Brown had his eyes on me when he performed "Ladies Man". If he was never a "player" he understood us to the core.

To be truthful, I am not familiar with OBJ (apart from the many heartfelt comments here.) I am however, very familiar with one of his masterpieces, the brilliant song "The Snake" by Al Wilson. If you are not familiar with this recording, get acquainted. It is truly one of the great songs in rock and roll history. Great lyrics (allegorical, witty etc.), a catchy tune and a beautifully produced and performed record. I always wondered who wrote it. Well OBJ did and the man who wrote that song will live forever in my world. Thanks.

I just found out today Memorial Day 2006 that Oscar died. I was hoping to find some news of an upcoming appearance somewhere. I made a mistake and missed him when he came to San Francisco to play with his son at the Elbo Room a couple of years ago. I can't believe it! Oscar Brown Jr. was one of my favorite entertainers. I saw him as a teenager in Chicago at the Happy Medium with his Joy shows. What a show! One of my favorite numbers was "Adam and Eve" and God. How man got to be the boss-ha ha. This was a special man whose work I shall always remember. We have much to thank you for. Thanks for everything. Goodbye for now.

What a treasure Oscar Brown, Jr. was to not only jazz, but to all of the art world. I am from Chicago and had the privilege of knowing about OBJ while young (now in my late sixties and still, a jazz singer in Denver) loving his work, which is timeless. I luvv Hazel's Hips, Dat Dere, The Snake, Ladies Man and everything he wrote and performed. What a performer! In jazz, as so few understand today, one must live the song and that is what he did, performed singing vignettes of life.

I first heard 'Ladies Man' on the Alexis Korner show.. I always thought it was a masterpiece... all the best songs tell a story and this one certainly does... it's just so damn true.. I'm late with this tribute but still very sorry to hear he's gone... so Oscar.. if you see her.... 'Sock it to her one time for me' !!

Please email us a copy of the poem "This Beach"

Thank you

If you get a chance, check out "Music Is My Life, Politics Is My Mistress", by Donnie L. Betts. Excellent documentary on Oscar Brown Jr.'s life. Touring the US and world wide.

I first heard Oscar Brown Jr. from listening to my Father's LP's. The album Between Heaven and Hell. Hazel's Hips, Mr. Kicks, Love is like a newborn child. To this day I can sing some of the lyrics by heart. Would that we all could make such a magnificent contribution. Farewell.

You can't be 74408 serious?!?

You can't be 74408 serious?!?

oscar brown jr. is my all time largest influence
musically. as a kid my brother and I used to act
out songs for my mon and dad. songs like the
signified monkey, and rags old iron.
it is truley a shame that the world did'nt know
him like they know the nellies of the world,
however I will never for get!!!!! my deepest
sympathy goes out to his family for having lost
such a great musician/ story teller. as a producer and lover of music i will make sure my
children know about great people like oscar brown
jr.

Hello,

Yesterday (8/27/06, I watched a documentary on 'the story of of Oscar Brown, Jr., "Music Is My Life, Politics My Mistress." It was shown in Los Angeles.

I hope you are able to see this play directed by Donnie L. Betts. It was excellent. Oscar Brown was a genius.

I had the pleasure to meet Obj in Chicago several years ago. I also had the pleasure of meeting his beautiful family. I remember watching him on Jump street with that deep sweet voice. It used to make me feel so proud to see this black man so strong. I am sorry to hear of his passing and that of his son. His spirit and music will allways live on. I'll never forget.

where U download his stuff I have been trying to find the poem "This beach" since I heard him speak on Def Poetry. I loved him from that point on moved it did

Found this at the official OBJ site, thought some of U might like .......

This Beach

And now I’ve landed on this beach

It takes sixty-five years to reach

As this generation of mine

Is ordered onto life’s front line

The targets of a fusillade

That forces us to think of God

Reluctantly we storm this beach

Advancing to fill up the breach

Created by that fallen corps

Of elders who charged here before

While we enjoyed our middle age

Removed from the fire we now engage

A withering barrage rakes this beach

Its bullets bear the names of each

Of those who set foot on these sands

Old General Calendar commands

Advancing to a sure defeat

Without the option of retreat

We knew before we hit this beach

The enemy that we besiege

Has ammunition for us all

Who as casualties must fall

Not one will manage to survive

Nobody leaves this beach alive

For those arriving on this beach

There is no prayer to pray nor preach

To beg us off in any tongue

Since we have outlived dying young

And for surviving in exchange

Now face the fire at point blank range

The witness we bear on this beach

Has only one lesson to teach

That here the carnage never stops

As every day another drops

Some classmate, relative or friend

Whose attack comes to an abrupt end

So on into the breach my peers

Who knows how many weeks or years

Remain till you and I are hit

As we inch onward, bit by bit

We only know our lives will bleach

Eternally out on this beach

On behalf of Oscar Brown Jr. to Domenic T. you needn't apologize. God made us in his image. he made humans dark in complection. Beautiful in a way that pleased God. Somehow some humans' appearance changed, and they held themselves above the beauty of God. held themselves above the beauty taht god created. The further they moved away in appearance the furthur they moved away from God. No my friend domenic don't apologize to Oscar brown Jr. it is God you need to address.