CHARLES BROWN

Biography

Charles Brown, born Tony Russell Brown on September 13, 1922, in Texas City, Texas, was orphaned early after his mother's death and his father's itinerant life as a cotton picker. Classically trained on piano from age ten, he was profoundly influenced by jazz pianist Art Tatum's blend of classical techniques with blues and jazz. After earning a chemistry degree, working as a chemist and teacher, Brown moved to Los Angeles in 1943-1944, winning an amateur night contest that led to his musical career.[1][2][3][4]

Brown joined Johnny Moore's Three Blazers in 1944, a piano-guitar-bass trio epitomizing the cool, relaxed West Coast blues style with a melancholy edge, modeled after Nat King Cole's trio but bluesier. As pianist and vocalist, he co-wrote and recorded hits like 'Driftin' Blues' (1946, topped R&B charts), 'Sunny Road,' 'So Long,' and the holiday classic 'Merry Christmas Baby' (1947) for Aladdin Records, making the group R&B stars through 1948. Going solo in 1948, Brown scored nine R&B Top 10 hits by 1952, including 'Trouble Blues' (No. 1 for 15 weeks), 'Black Night,' 'Hard Times,' and 'Please Come Home for Christmas,' pioneering urbane, piano-driven West Coast blues.[1][2][3][4][5]

Brown's career waned in the rock era but revived in the 1980s via blues festivals, a Rhythm and Blues Foundation grant, and tours opening for Bonnie Raitt in 1990, yielding acclaimed albums like 'One More for the Road' (1986) and 'All My Life' (1990 Grammy winner). He earned Blues Hall of Fame inductions (1997, 1991 instrumentalist, 1993/1995 vocalist) and posthumous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry (1999), dying January 21, 1999, at age 76, leaving a legacy as an influential blues singer-pianist.[1][2][3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Brown's 'Driftin' Blues' was the first record in years to knock Louis Jordan from the top of the R&B charts in 1946.
• He co-starred with Johnny Ace on Ace's final tour in 1954, which ended tragically with Ace's death.
• A trained chemist, Brown worked as a high school teacher before music and gave piano lessons in retirement.
• 'Merry Christmas Baby,' recorded in 1947, remains a perennial holiday blues standard covered by countless artists.

Associated Acts

• Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Art Tatum - Primary musical influence blending classical piano with blues and jazz (Inspired Brown's sophisticated piano style in Three Blazers recordings) [Early 1930s onward]
• Nat King Cole - Stylistic model for West Coast piano trio format (Three Blazers emulated Cole Trio's cool sound but added blues) [1944-1948]

Key Collaborators

• Johnny Moore - Band leader and guitarist in Johnny Moore's Three Blazers ('Driftin' Blues,' 'Merry Christmas Baby,' 'Sunny Road') [1944-1948]
• Eddie Williams - Bassist in Three Blazers and Brown's early solo trio (Early Aladdin Records hits) [1944-1949]
• Bonnie Raitt - Touring partner who boosted late-career revival (Opened for her tours introducing him to new audiences) [1990s]
• Fats Domino - Tour mate on R&B circuit (National tours) [1950s]

Artists Influenced

• Ray Charles - Adopted Brown's smooth West Coast piano trio blues style (Early recordings reflecting Brown's mellow ballad approach) [1940s-1950s]
• Amos Milburn - Influenced by Brown's piano trio format and hits (West Coast blues recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Floyd Dixon - Followed Brown's bluesy piano ballad style (R&B singles) [1940s-1950s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Please Come Home For Christmas
2. Please Come Home For Christmas (Charles Brown Sings Christmas Songs)
3. May I Never Love Again (These Blues)
4. Merry Christmas Baby
5. Merry Christmas, Baby
6. Black Night
7. Don't Look Back (feat. Van Morrison & Charles Brown)
8. Please Come Home For Christmas (Charles Brown Sings Chritmas Songs (Remastered Edition))
9. Driftin' Blues - Live
10. 'Round Midnight

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #piano-blues, #r&b