Anne Brown "Summertime" from Original Porgy and Bess (1940)

[ruenrom0878]

Just a note though that in the actual P&B opera 'Summertime' is not sung by 'Bess' but by the 'Clara' character.

[bsgs98]

@ruenrom0878 You are basically correct. This Decca album featured Anne Brown and Todd Duncan who sang all the solo parts including ones that were attributed to other characters. However Bess does sing a reprise of "Summertime" in Act 3 following the death of Clara.

[sarahward94]

Love it when the backing singers come in and start 'ooing', gives me goosebumps everytime!

[fabfourgroupie]

AMAZING



[funguykel]

Anne Brown's clip from Rhapsody in Blue was at one time available on YT. I watched it a number of times. Why it was pulled is beyond me. Anne was beautiful and a great singer. She was born before her time but luckily had one of broadway's greatest roles.

[hremdldw]

Every now and then Turner Classic Movies shows Rhapsody In Blue,I just forgot were I saw Ann Brown. Now that I'm writing this down I remember seeing Ann Brown on a PBS special on Gershwin which had the Rhapsody In Blue clip in it.

[hremdldw]

Found out what it was by going to Wikipedia It was in the movie Rhapsody In Blue. Alan Alda Dad, Robert staring as George Gershwin. In the movie their were musical interludes Ann Brown sang Summertime.Thanks for responding so quickly bsg98

[bsgs98]

@hremdldw I'm glad you found the information you were looking for. It's a shame that Anne Brown's clip from Rhapsody in Blue isn't available on YT.

[hremdldw]

I saw a movie once with Ann Brown singing Summertime it might have been the movie with William Powell playing Florenz Ziegfeld I know it wasn't the Great Ziegfeld but another movie were Ziegfeld was dead and he was thinking of putting a dream show together.Can anyone remember what movie that was?

[bsgs98]

@hremdldw The Wiliam Powell film was "Ziefeld Follies" (MGM 1945) but Anne brown was not in the cast. Perhaps you are thinking of Lena Horne who did sing a song in the film.

[Dizzydog214]

Thank you for posting

[Pianosyncrazy]

Bravo !

[waynebrasler]

Anne Brown. A wonderful lady, a matter-of-fact person who crossed color lines, blazed new trails and found great fame simply by being a great artist, period. Todd Duncan was likewise a wonderful person and great artist who had a rough go of it. Today both would have easily been world-known superstars.

[divaslair]

From Anne Brown's performance on the 1940 recording. Enjoy!!

[jeanfss38]

Thanks for sharing this! It is truly lovely. I must say, though, that I still find the Froman version, her mezzo range and the emotional enrichment it allows - for me - my clear favorite!

[Bloodylane1862]

this was the best show ihave ever seen!

[musikenergy]

I love Anne Brown.