Jewel Brown is the true to life, born and bred Houston jazz artist. She was born in Houston’s Third Ward August 30, 1937. She attended Black Elementary School and then Jack Yates High School. At an early age she began singing in the choir at Rosehill Baptist Church and first perfomed at the age of nine at the Masonic Temple in the Fourth Ward. Her first professional singing job was at the age of 12 at the Manhattan Club in Galveston.

She continued singing professionally while in school, however her singing was secondary in importance to her studies. Even before she graduated, her vocals were in demand. During her senior year she was invited to accompany Lionel Hampton’s group to tour Europe. Upon graduation it was understood in Ms. Brown’s immediate family that she would pursue a singing career full time, she had decided against college because she felt it would be a burden on her parents. Until that time she sang locally with her brother’s group, performing at clubs with her mother accompanying. When she did begin singing with (all male) groups on tour however, her career was almost stifled by the concerns of an extended family member that the entertainment business was unsavory. Ms. Brown’s mother relented against the cynicism and encouraged her daughter toward her chosen goals.

Ms. Brown is best known as vocalist with Louis Armstrong’s All Star band. Whether or not Ms. Brown would audition for this position was precarious at the time because the former singer for the band had died recently and it wasn’t known how well received Ms. Brown would be under the circumstances. The audition did turn out to be a success and Ms. Brown was soon welcomed into the All Stars. During her career Ms. Brown toured internationally with Armstrong’s band and also performed with Carrol Garner, Earl Grant, Arnett Cobb, as well as many others. She also performed on her own and took responsibility for managing herself. Among the many venues in which she was hired were: the Ebony and Angelo’s in Houston, the Tidelands in San Antonio, and the Sovereign Club in Dallas. In 1971 Ms. Brown retired from singing for 15 years to care for her ailing parents.

When not singing Ms. Brown has owned and operated the Sir Brown’s Hair Palace on Dowling St. in Houston with her brother Alphonse. She has also worked as a successful insurance agent and owns a child care facility. In 1988 Ms. Brown was celebrated as Jazz Artist of the Year at the annual Houston Jazz Festival.