Biography

Though he never became a star, Oscar Brown, Jr. was of vital historical importance. He's best known for creating new compositions by adding lyrics to such jazz tunes as "Work Song" and "Afro Blue," creating new standards in the process, but he wrote wholly original tunes as well. In effect, Brown was one of the first singer/songwriters in jazz or pop. Prefiguring both the socially conscious R&B of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield and the proto-rap of Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets, Brown was one of the first to address politics and race issues in song. The multi-talented Chicagoan was also active in theater and even on television. He passed away in 2005, leaving behind him a legacy spanning five decades.

Top Tracks

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• A Dime Away From A Hotdog

• A Ladiesman

• All Blues

• Brother, Where Are You

• Dat Dere

• Hum Drum Blues

• Jeannine

• Living Double In A World Of Trouble

• Maggie

• Mood Indigo

• Mr. Kicks

• No Place To Be Somebody

• Signifying Monkey

• Straighten Up And Fly Right

• Summer In The City

• Work Song

Discography

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• Live Every Minute

  Minor Music

  1998

• Then and Now

  Weasel

  1995

• Fresh

  Warner Bros.

  1975

• Movin' On

  Collectables

  1972

• Mr. Oscar Brown, Jr. Goes to Washington

  Verve

  1965

• Finding a New Friend

  1965

• Tells It Like It Is!

  Columbia

  1963

• Between Heaven & Hell

  Columbia

  1962

• In a New Mood...

  Columbia

  1962

• Sin & Soul...And Then Some

  Columbia Special Products

  1961