Oscar Brown Jr. Music is My Life, Politics My Mistress

Synopsis: Music Is My Life Politics My Mistress: The Story of Oscar Brown Jr

A powerful and gripping portrait of the remarkable artistry and life of poet, singer, playwright, composer and social activist Oscar Brown Jr. A playful and charismatic performer, Brown is also an acclaimed jazz lyricist who worked closely with Abbey Lincoln and Nina Simone and collaborated with Max Roach and Bobby Timmons on some of the most memorable compositions of the hard bop era. Beyond his musical achievements, Brown also engaged in a parallel career as a lifelong political activist of tireless strength and unceasing moral stamina, and his entire life can be read as a parable of the civil rights and Black Power eras in the United States. His lyrics touching on every subject from human dignity and childhood wonder to marijuana and cockroaches, Brown emerges as a kind of Black Everyman.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Documentary

[21eduj]

IF THIS IS HQ I NEED A NEW COMPUTER

[SoulTooSoul]

Oscar Brown Jr. was a true griot. So many people loved and respected Oscar. His career paralleled Orson Welles. Two men, who were bigger than life, true genius. Oscar was articulate, with so much vision. He was political and confrontational. His music was so hip and cool. He was a cultulral icon.

[idealist707]

@SoulTooSoul Could not have said it better, Thanks.

Only glad I caught him live in LA in '64. Made you hair stand on end. How the ladies felt, you can imagine.

Like they say, a library was lost when he left us.

As for griot, try Toumani Diabate.

[aminahann]

Please fix this Video I want to see it.

[aminahann]

Please fix this Video I want to see it.

[oscilator101]

A unique & magnificent persona in quality music!!

His performances had a huge impact in my soul!!

Thank you for being there Mr. Brown!!!

Hope you're doing great wherever you are now!!!

ReSPect!!!!!!!

[alnakhli999]

What a legend R.I.P Oscar Brown Jr.

[jazmaan]

I saw Oscar live 4 or 5 times. The best show I saw was at a restaurant in Ojai, California in the mid 80's. He had a full band, I think a quintet or sextet, with his son, Oscar III on bass. Unfortunately, as the years passed, he seemed to stop playing with a band, probably to save money. He's play a duet with Billy Childs (a good pianist but not really the best fit for Oscar). One time his accompanist didn't show up and he'd did an acappella show accompanying himself on conga!