Maggie Brown (singer) facts for kids

Maggie Brown (born February 10, 1963) is an American singer, spoken word artist, and music producer. She sings many types of music, like jazz, blues, R&B, soul, and spoken word. People say her voice is unique and can sing in many styles.

Maggie Brown learned a lot from her father, Oscar Brown Jr., and from singer Abbey Lincoln. She uses music to teach people, calling it "edutainment." This is a word she learned from her dad. She also gives talks about music and the history of African American music. Maggie often performs with her sister, Africa Brown. They share their own songs and their father's famous works.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Maggie Brown was born in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Her home was always full of music, with rehearsals and jam sessions happening often. Her parents are Oscar Brown Jr. and Maxine Fleming.

Maggie studied music, theater, and singing at Columbia College Chicago. She had her first professional performance when she was just 15 years old. This debut happened at the Body Politic Theatre in Chicago.

Maggie's Music Career

In 1995, Maggie Brown started her own record company called Mag Pie Records. Her first album, From My Window, came out that same year. It was nominated for a Chicago Music Award for Best Jazz CD. In 1996, she was nominated again for Best Jazz Performer.

In 1998, Maggie performed with her father, Oscar Brown Jr., at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City. That same year, she sang a duet with Abbey Lincoln on the album Wholly Earth. She has also sung duets with Jonathan Butler on the album Urban Knights II.

Legacy: Our Wealth of Music

Maggie Brown has a special one-woman show called 'Legacy'. This show tells the story of African American music. It covers many different musical styles. She has toured with this show for over 19 years. Through her art, Maggie teaches people of all ages about life, history, and music.

Community Work

In 2015, Maggie and her family performed at a special event. A street in Chicago was named Oscar Brown Jr. Way to honor her father.

In 2016, Maggie and her sister Africa worked to reopen the Blue Gargoyle. This was a community center in Hyde Park that had closed in 2009. The center used to offer job training, family help, and music and art classes. It first opened in 1965. The Brown sisters now create community shows. They want to help young, talented people, just like their father did.

In 1967, Oscar Brown Jr. worked with members of a group called the Blackstone Rangers. Together, they created a musical called "Opportunity Please Knock." About 8,000 people came to see the show in its first weeks. It was performed at The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago.

Maggie's Family Life

Maggie Brown's aunt is the actress Judy Pace.

A recording of the song "The Snake" was used at some political rallies. This song was written by Maggie's father. Maggie, her sister Africa, and her brother Oscar III sang on the recording. The song is a story about a woman who helps a sick snake, but the snake then turns on her. The Brown family asked that their father's song not be used. Maggie and Africa Brown felt that when the song was used at rallies, it was being changed to talk about refugees in a way they did not agree with. They did not approve of how the song's message was used.

Awards and Recognitions

• Her first CD, From My Window, was nominated for a Chicago Music Award.

Musical Connections

Maggie Brown is part of a group called Eleven Jazzy Divas. She has also recorded music with many famous artists, including:

• Kelan Phil Cohran
• Ramsey Lewis
• Stevie Wonder
• Abbey Lincoln
• Oscar Brown Jr. (her father)