Georgia Brown Tribute

Here is a famous and dynamic song from "Porgy and Bess" performed by the exciting Georgia Brown.
Georgia Brown (1933 - 1992) was a British singer and actress. Born Lillian Claire Laizer Getel Klot in the East End of London to Jewish emigrants to the UK, she was dispatched to Wales during the Blitz to escape the bombings in London. A lover of jazz, she selected her professional name from the 1925 tune "Sweet Georgia Brown" by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey. Brown first came to prominence as Lucy in the 1956 London revival of "The Threepenny Opera" at London's Royal Court Theatre, a role she repeated the following year when she joined the cast of the highly successful off-Broadway production. Three years later she received critical and public acclaim for her portrayal of Nancy in Lionel Bart's hit musical "Oliver!" in the West End. She reprised the role in the 1963 Broadway production, earning a Tony Award nomination for her performance (she had a terrific second act aria "As Long As He Needs Me" which suited her smoky, dark tones admirably. Her recording of the ballad on the original cast recording is a classic). After a stint in Bart's "Maggie May" in 1965, Brown concentrated on screen work for more than a decade. Brown returned to Broadway to join the cast of the long-running revue "Side By Side By Sondheim" in 1977. Two years later, she created the title role in Alan Jay Lerner and Burton Lane's musical "Carmelina". She toured Britain in "Georgia Brown and Friends", then brought the revue to New York City for a limited run in 1982. Five years later, the Gilbert Bécaud musical "Roza", under the direction of Hal Prince, closed after only twelve performances, but her performance of Mrs. Peachum in the 1989 revival of "The Threepenny Opera" earned her another Tony nomination. In her later years, Brown limited herself to concerts, cabaret appearances, and guest spots on such television series as Great Performances, Murder, She Wrote, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Cheers, which earned her an Emmy Award nomination. In addition to a number of original cast albums, Brown recorded several solo albums, including "The Many Shades of Georgia Brown" and "Georgia Brown Sings Gershwin".
Enjoy the terrific style of Georgia Brown, one of Great Britain's most brilliant artists!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Georgia
• Brown

[edstrat69]

I saw her in "Oliver"on Broadway and spoke with her at stage door several times in the 60's. She was so nice and such a talented lady! I didn't even know she died until today when I looked her up on the net and I was so shocked. Does anyone know what she died of? I will always have such fond memories of her.

[bradly2007]

Luckily got to see Georgia with Dory Previn in a stunning Dorothy Chandler concert then again years later at The Westwood Playhouse, great tour-de-force concert was quite an experiece & this awesome performer went too soon...Bravo Georgia & RIP

[gemskytess]

My husband Jonathan is her son. I agree with grigsey, she died far too soon.

[grigsey]

i saw this wonderful actress-singer in the Broadway bound "Roza" in Los Angeles 7 times. it was a terrific show and Ms. Brown was a joy to see. she died far loo soon and way too young. a very gifted entertainer!

[m1ckeyjoe]

she also led miss elizabeth astray in upstairs, downstairs... woke up this morning thinking about her for some reason... this has made my day! amazing! mwah

[rootsm3]

I worship her. I had a London LP in the 60's around the time Oliver was on Broadway. I wore it out. She is simply the best. She was in the BBC production of Shoulder to Shoulder, I believe she is singing the title song. Also on film She played a music hall singer in a Ripper movie. Sang "TaRaRa Boom Di ay"!

[dameaustel]

great to see so many comments, she is my father's cousin and i'm trying to gather as much info as I can about her, I am a Jazz singer and would love to do a tribute to her.

[kissmequick8]

Why? Why? Why? Is this brilliant singer almost forgotten about? It's a complete mystery to me that all of her album's aren't out on cd when there is so much tat out there readily available. Vocallion have some of her back catalogue but won't release them. Her album's are like goldust. Treasure them if you can get hold of them....totally stunning singer.

[TreblePop]

Love this. Just discovered Georgia Brown today, and listening to everything I can fine.

[photoworld100]

simply the best and didnt get the credit she deserved