{"id":31,"date":"2017-03-20T14:34:48","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T14:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-54-71-218-110.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2020-10-12T21:39:12","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T21:39:12","slug":"timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t

1940's<\/h3>\n

1941<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. had his first professional acting and singing debut on the radio show Secret City. At the tender age of 15, OBJ became the youngest and first \u201cNegro\u201d to co-star in a radio series that did not have the Black character play as the comic relief nor as a subservient in his role. Later, he would become one of the writers of the show.<\/p>\n

1944<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. was dubbed \u201cAmerica\u2019s first Negro Newscaster,\u201d when he became the host of Negro Newsfront<\/em><\/strong>, the nation\u2019s first Black news radio broadcast.<\/p>\n

1948<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. runs on the Progressive Party ticket candidate<\/strong> for the Illinois Legislature<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1948
\nOscar Brown, Jr. began acting in the Black Radio Days series: Destination Freedom<\/em><\/strong>. A pioneering weekly drama series, written by Richard Durham, with scripts emphasizing the progress of African-Americans from the days of slavery and beyond to the ongoing struggle for racial justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

1950's<\/h3>\n

1952<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. runs as a Republican candidate for United States Congress<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1954<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. is drafted and serves in the U.S. Army.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

1960's<\/h3>\n

1960<\/strong>
\nMax Roach releases the album he collaborated on with Oscar, We Insist: Freedom Now Suite<\/em><\/strong>, which celebrates the black freedom movement in the U.S. Both icons shared a commitment to activism. We Insist<\/em> set the foundation for embodying the jazz tradition and engaging in social commentary.<\/p>\n

1960<\/strong>
\nColumbia Records releases Oscar Brown, Jr\u2019s debut album, Sin & Soul. This album is regarded as a \u201ctrue classic.\u201d Brown began a trend of creating self-penned lyrics for popular jazz instrumentals, a style carried on by several major jazz vocalists. Sin & Soul includes \u201cBid \u2018Em In,\u201d Oscar's vivid re-creation of an auctioneer\u2019s call at a sale of female slaves.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhereas 12 Years a Slave ran 134 minutes, and Django Unchained clocked in at 165, This song (\u201cBid \u2018Em In\u201d) manages to compactly convey as much impact in a cool 1 minute and 28 seconds.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

1960<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr\u2019s composition Brown Baby<\/em><\/strong> is simultaneously released by Mahalia Jackson, who was also a Columbia label Artist at the time. As this song wishes prosperity, peace, pride upon all brown babies, this song became an anthem. It was later recorded by Nina Simone, Lena Horne, Diana Ross,Toni Braxton.<\/p>\n

1961<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr\u2019s major musical KICKS & CO.<\/em><\/strong> is mounted with preview performances at McCormick Place, in Chicago. Over $400,000.00 was raised when NBC TV host, Dave Garroway, turned over the entire 2-hour \u201cToday\u201d show for a virtual backers audition for Kicks & Co.<\/em> Stage direction and production support were contributed by Lorraine Hansberry and her husband, who was a music publisher from New York.<\/p>\n

1961<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. appears in concert at Carnegie Hall<\/strong>. His first concert appearance in New York, OBJ was part of a show bill titled \u201cBlues at Carnegie Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

1962<\/strong>
\nColumbia Records releases Oscar Brown, Jr\u2019s second album: Between Heaven & Hell<\/em><\/strong>. Due to the overwhelming success of his first record, the label invested more into production on this second album bringing in Quincy Jones to arrange.
\n\u200b<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAll the songs are his own creations and he could scarcely ask for a better interpreter than himself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

1962<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. hosts and performs for Steve Allen\u2019s syndicated TV series, \u201cJazz Scene USA.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

1962<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. records his third release for Columbia Records: In A New Mood<\/em><\/strong>. As the name suggests, it is the label\u2019s attempt at diverting from the social and political messages in Oscar\u2019s original lyrics, and substituting them with cover tunes.<\/p>\n

1963<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. mounts a one-man show in London called: Oscar Brown, Jr. Entertains<\/em><\/strong>. His appearance at Prince Charles Theater<\/strong> was met with high critical acclaim: \u201cOscar Brown, Jr. arrives and lives up to that \u2018genius\u2019 tag;\u201d \u201cHigh Priest of Hip;\u201d \u201cOscar is unique, hip and immediately worthwhile.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

1962<\/strong>
\nColumbia Records releases what would be their final album: Oscar Brown, Jr. Tells It Like It Is<\/em><\/strong>. A return to using Oscar\u2019s original compositions, but by this time, there were changes in management at the label. These consequently coincided with an end of support required to provide the bonafied star. Brown was told he is \u201ctoo messagey\u201d and his contract was not renewed.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cUndercelebrated, Oscar Brown, Jr. was a pioneer of early 60\u2019s vocal jazz.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

1966<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. creates a cabaret production called \u201cJOY \u201866<\/strong>\u201d at the Happy Medium in Chicago. <\/p>\n

1966<\/strong>
\nFontana releases two albums: Mr. Oscar Brown, Jr. Goes to Washington<\/em><\/strong>. Oscar\u2019s first live concert recording, which includes the sociopolitically charged: 40 Acres & A Mule<\/em>.
\nThat same year, Fontana released Finding A New Friend<\/em><\/strong>, a duet recording with Oscar Brown, Jr. and Luis Henrique. The two had shared a backstage dressing room while appearing at the Cafe-A-Go-Go, and ultimately developed a unique blend of the words and music of North and South America.<\/p>\n

1967<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. mounts his musical OPPORTUNITY PLEASE KNOCK<\/em><\/strong>, developed with and featuring the notorious street gang members of the Blackstone Rangers. Oscar\u2019s intention to quell violence and influence self-sufficiency, by employing members of the gang to help them \u201ccome to their own economic rescue,\u201d in his own words, this was a turning point in his life and career.<\/p>\n

1968<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr\u2019s success in working with urban youth gained the attention of then Mayor of Gary, Indiana, Richard Hatcher. Oscar accepts Mayor Hatcher\u2019s invitation to conduct workshops culminating in a summer talent show that discovers the Jackson 5 and Avery Brooks<\/p>\n

1969<\/strong>
\nThe Oscar Brown, Jr. musical adaptation of Joseph Dolan Tuotti\u2019s, black power comedy, BUCK WHITE opens on Broadway starring Muhammad Ali.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

1970's<\/h3>\n

1970<\/strong>
\nRCA Victor releases the original Cast album \u201cJoy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

1970<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. appears on The Dick Cavett Show<\/p>\n

1972<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. now signed to Atlantic Records, releases the album Movin\u2019 On<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1973<\/strong>
\nOscar records his second album for Atlantic Records, called simply: Fresh<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1974<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr\u2019s final release for Atlantic Records is titled: Brother Where Are You?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1976<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr is awarded two Emmy Awards for his television special: \u201cOscar Brown\u2019s Back in Town.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1977<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. mounts his verse musical adaptation of the book of Genesis. The play \u201cIN DE BEGINNIN\u2019\u201d premiered at the Body Politic Theater in Chicago. Oscar\u2019s daughter Africa Pace Brown, was the youngest actress to receive a Joseph Jefferson Award for best supporting actress in a musical, for her role as Eve.<\/p>\n

1978<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. performs in the independent film: Stony Island<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

1980's<\/h3>\n

1980<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. hosts a PBS TV series From Jump Street: The Story of Black Music<\/em><\/strong>, which is a 13-part series examining the history of African American contributions to American music.<\/p>\n

1982<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr considered his play, GREAT NITTY GRITTY<\/strong> to be his \u201cmiracle musical.\u201d As he had done in the 1960\u2019s OBJ found \u201cgold in the ghetto,\u201d auditioning and exposing the amazing talent among Black youth in Chicago.<\/p>\n

1983<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr\u2019s musical: JOURNEY THROUGH FOREVER<\/em><\/strong>, provides the inaugural performance, opening the ETA Theater on Chicago\u2019s Southside with its.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

1990's<\/h3>\n

1990<\/strong>
\nOscar plays a recurring role in Oprah Winfrey\u2019s TV drama series, Brewster Place<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1990<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. is cast in the PBS Special for \u201cAmerican Playhouse,\u201d Zora Is My Name<\/strong>, which celebrates the folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, and co-starred Ruby Dee and Beah Richards.<\/p>\n

1991<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. plays the role of \u201cCoach,\u201d co-starring with Marla Gibbs, in the movie: Up Against the Wall<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1992<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. appears in a recurring role on the hit TV series Roc<\/strong><\/p>\n

1995<\/strong>
\nAfter 20 years since Oscar\u2019s last album, California based indie recording label, Weasel Disc releases Then and Now<\/strong> on CD.<\/p>\n

1995<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. plays the role of a store owner beaten for speaking up as a witness to a crime in the Original Gangsters<\/strong> movie with Jim Brown, Pam Greer, and Fred Williamson.<\/p>\n

1996<\/strong>
\nSuffers loss of one of his sons, and musical partner, Oscar Brown, III, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver, in a fatal car accident on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.<\/p>\n

1998<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr records overseas for an independent German recording label. Minor Music releases Live Every Minute<\/em><\/strong>. Stanley Turnentine was a featured guest for what would be among the final recordings of both stalwarts of Jazz.<\/p>\n

1999<\/strong>
\nOscar is invited to serve as Regents Professor at the University of California, Riverside. There he meets Neil Sopata, the artist who made the animated video for Oscar\u2019s \u201cBid \u2018Em In.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t

2000's<\/h3>\n

2001<\/strong>
\nRelease of the last CD Oscar Brown, Jr. was to record. We\u2019re Live<\/em><\/strong> captures Brown and his daughter Maggie Brown in a live concert recording produced and released on her Mag Pie Records. This production features the debut vocal recording of OBJ\u2019s youngest daughter, Africa Pace Brown. The Browns\u2019 made jazz history at the Hot House for International Performance, featuring Oscar\u2019s lyrics set to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and Ellington.<\/p>\n

2002<\/strong>
\nRevival of Oscar\u2019s \u201cmiracle musical\u201d GREAT NITTY GRITTY<\/strong><\/p>\n

2002<\/strong>
\nOscar Brown, Jr. appears on Def Poetry<\/strong>, Season II, performing his poem: \u201cI Apologize,\u201d to a rousing standing ovation. Oscar was invited back several times, solidifying the newer hip-hop generation has some exposure and appreciation for the \u201cGrandpap of Rap.\u201d<\/p>\n

2004<\/strong>
\nOBJ was among the distinguished guests, handpicked for the opening of Jazz At Lincoln Center\u2019s Allen Room<\/strong>, in New York. Oscar performed one of his poems together with Sonja Sanchez.<\/p>\n

2005<\/strong>
\nOscar celebrates the release of Donnie Betts\u2019 full-length, documentary film: \u201cMusic Is My Life, Politics My Mistress.<\/strong>\u201d In February, 2005, Oscar Brown Jr. and family members attended the premier, which was sponsored by the Pan African Film Festival and screened at the Magic Johnson Theater Complex, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1940’s 1941 Oscar Brown, Jr. had his first professional acting and singing debut on the radio show Secret City. At the tender age of 15, OBJ became the youngest and first \u201cNegro\u201d to co-star in a radio series that did not have the Black character play as the comic relief nor as a subservient in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page_fullwidth.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248,"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions\/248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cmgww.com\/music\/brown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}