Tom Brown (trombonist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Brown
Background information
Also known as	Red Brown
Born	June 3, 1888 Uptown, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	March 25, 1958 (aged 69) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, Dixieland jazz
Instruments	Trombone, string bass

Tom P. Brown (born June 3, 1888 – died March 25, 1958) was an American jazz trombonist. People sometimes called him Red Brown. He also played the string bass professionally. Tom Brown was an important musician in the early days of Dixieland jazz.

Early Life and Family

Tom Brown was born in the Uptown area of New Orleans, Louisiana. His younger brother, Steve Brown, also became a well-known professional musician.

Starting His Music Career

Tom Brown played the trombone in bands led by other musicians. By 1910, he often led his own bands. His band played a style of music that people in New Orleans called "hot ragtime" or "ratty music."

The First "Jazz" Band?

In early 1915, a Vaudeville dancer named Joe Frisco heard Brown's band. Frisco helped them get a job in Chicago, Illinois. On May 15, 1915, 'Tom Brown's Band from Dixieland' started playing at Lamb's Cafe in Chicago. The band included Tom Brown on trombone, Ray Lopez on cornet, Gussie Mueller on clarinet, Arnold Loyacano on piano and string bass, and Billy Lambert on drums. Later, Larry Shields replaced Gussie Mueller on clarinet.

This band is often thought to be one of the first to be called "Jazz." At first, people spelled it "Jass." Tom Brown said that when his band became popular, local musicians who were not in a union tried to stop people from listening. They put up signs that said "Don't Patronize This Jass Music." But this had the opposite effect! More people came to hear the band because they were curious about "Jass Music." Brown realized this was good publicity and started calling his group "Brown's Jass Band."

Tom Brown often said that his band was "the first white jazz band" to play in the northern United States. However, another group called The Original Creole Orchestra had played there before them.

Playing in New York and Beyond

Tom Brown's Band was very successful in Chicago for over four months. Then, they moved to New York City and played there for another four months. In February 1916, they returned to New Orleans.

When he got home, Brown quickly put together another band to go back to Chicago. This group again included Larry Shields. Later, Brown traded clarinet players with the Original Dixieland Jass Band, bringing Alcide Nunez into his group. Brown, Nunez, and drummer Ragbaby Stevens then worked for Bert Kelly. They even filled in for the Original Dixieland Jass Band in New York in 1918.

Brown also started recording music with other bands in New York. He joined the band of Harry Yerkes. In 1920, Alcide Nunez also joined the Yerkes Band. Brown also performed in vaudeville shows with famous entertainers like Joe Frisco and Ed Wynn.

Returning Home

In late 1921, Tom Brown went back to Chicago. He joined Ray Miller's Black & White Melody Boys and made more recordings with them. During this time, he also led a dance band with his brother, Steve.

In the mid-1920s, Brown returned to his hometown of New Orleans. He played with bands led by Johnny Bayersdorffer and Norman Brownlee, and made a few more recordings.

During the Great Depression, Tom Brown fixed radios to earn extra money. He opened a music shop and a junk shop on Magazine Street. He continued to play string bass in local swing and dance bands. In the 1950s, people became interested in traditional jazz again. Brown played in different Dixieland bands, including one led by Johnny Wiggs.

Later Life

Tom Brown made his last music recording just a few weeks before he passed away. He died in New Orleans in 1958.