Kitty Brown facts for kids

Catherine Brown, better known as Kitty Brown (born in October 1899, and living after 1990), was an American classic female blues singer. She was active in music from 1923 to the mid-1930s. Kitty Brown sometimes used other names, called pseudonyms, for her recordings. These included Bessie Williams, Jane White, Dixie Gray, Rosa Green, and Mazie Leroy. Some of her famous songs include "Evil Blues" and "It's De-Lovely".

Kitty Brown's Music Career

Kitty Brown was born in New York in 1899. Most of her recordings were made in 1923 and 1924. In the 1930s, she recorded a version of the song "It's De-Lovely". This song was written by Cole Porter. She sang it with Les Brown's Band of Renown.

Early Recordings and Collaborations

Kitty Brown's first recording session produced two songs: "Evil Blues" and "Mean Eyes (Too Late Blues)". The song "Evil Blues" mentioned "accompanied by Rickett Stars". This was likely another stage name for her musical partners.

Her main musical partner was the songwriter LeRoy Morton. He also managed another famous singer named Clara Smith. Kitty Brown and LeRoy Morton recorded songs like "He's Never Gonna Throw Me Down" and "Keep On Going". They recorded these for Okeh Records. One of Kitty Brown's later recording names, Mazie Leroy, might have been connected to her work with Morton.

Recording Under Different Names

Many of Kitty Brown's songs came from the music publishers of her record label. She also recorded "Family Skeleton Blues," which became one of her most interesting records. Among the musicians who played with her was James "Bubber" Miley.

It is thought that Kitty Brown recorded for different record companies using other names. This was often due to agreements with her main record labels. It is believed she recorded more songs under these other names than under her own. It can be hard to confirm all the songs she recorded as Bessie Williams. This is because several other singers also used that name. However, researchers have confirmed she was the singer on some records released on the Domino label. On these records, she was listed as Bessie Williams.

Her Recorded Works and Later Life

Most of Kitty Brown's known songs are found on a special collection album. This album is called Female Blues Singers, Vol. 3: B/C (1923–1928). It was released by Document Records in 1997. Her recordings include songs like "Evil Blues", "Mean Eyes (Too Late Blues)", "Deceitful Blues", "I Don't Let No One Man Worry Me", "He's Never Gonna Throw Me Down", "Keep On Going", "Family Skeleton Blues", "I Wanna Jazz Some More", and "One of These Days".

According to researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc, Kitty Brown was living in a nursing home in Manhattan in 1990. The exact date of her death is not known.