Descriptive Summary
Brown, Jewel
Jewel Brown CollectionBulk, 1960-19691950-1988, 1960-1969MSS.0337
5.0 Linear feet,
2 document boxes, 1 negative box
Materials are in English.
Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library
Biographical Note
Jewel Brown is the true to life, born-and-bred Houston jazz artist. She was born in Houston’s Third Ward on 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 a 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 included 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.
Scope and Contents
The Jewel Brown Collection is comprised primarily of photographs that span the career of Ms. Brown. There are two oral history interviews of Jewel Brown which are transcribed.
Arrangement
- Series 1: Promotional Materials and Reviews
- Series 2: Photographs
Access Restrictions
None.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Jewel Brown Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.
Related Archival Materials note
Oral History tapes #OH-451 and #OH-452
Related Archival Materials note
Jewel Brown Oral History, HMRC Oral History Collection, October 3, 1988
MSS 322 Arnett Cobb Collection
MSS 252 Milton Larkin Collection
MSS 403 Illinois Jacquet Collection
MSS 345 Jimmy Ford Collection
MSS 442 Herb Brochstein Collection
MSS 390 Campbell Tolbert Collection
MSS 349 I.H. Smalley Collection
MSS 336 Florence "Bu" Pleasant Collection
Preferred Citation
Jewel Brown Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.
Acquisition Information
Collection donated by Jewel Brown.
Processing Information
Processed by: Charles Stephenson and Tammy Jordan, January 2007.
Index Terms
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971
Brown, Jewel
Performance artists--Texas--Houston
Singers--Texas--Houston
Promotional Materials and Reviews
1
1
This Month in Dallas; Jewel Brown, p. 51
January, 1961
Fabulous Las Vegas;
March 3, 1962 (2 copies)
March 17, 1962
Fabulous Las Vegas;
Souvenir program,
Louis Armstrong and His All Star Concert Group, Fresno, California,
March 29, 1962. Photographs: Louis Armstrong; Billy Cronk; Trummy Young; Billy Kyle; Jewel Brown; Joe Dariensbourg and Danny Barcelona.
Souvenir program:
Louis Armstrong e son Orchestre, Palais des Expositions, Paris, France;
17 mai 1962. “Satchmo the Great,” a brief biography of Louis Armstrong with selected photographs; other photographs: Danny Barcelona, Billy Cronk and Jewel Brown
May 14, 1958
Jerry of Jericho Road, program presented by Jack Yates High School A Cappella Choir and Glee Club, Wednesday,
February 26, 1962
The Music Reporter, Vol. VI, No. 31,
March 29, 1962
Downbeat, Vol. 29, No. 7,
June 6, 1963
Downbeat, Vol. 30, No. 13,
Souvenir program from Denmark
1
2
Zest Houston Chronicle,
Houston Jazz Singer Jewel Brown ends 15 years of retirement Cover story by Michael Spies,
August 21, 1988
Program, Louis Armstrong, Auditorio Nacional, Mexico,
1961 (2 copies)
In Sepia Dallas
Dec. 2-8;
Dec. 9-15;
Dec. 16-22;
Dec. 23-29 (2 copies)
June 2-8, 1961
Advertisement: “Louis Armstrong and His All Stars; New Latin Quarter, Magatacha, Chiyodu-ku, Tokyo, Japan
1
3
Personal letter from Dennis Paget, William Morris Agency;
February 5, 1962; Attached is a column by Charley Channel;
Sunday News,
February 4, 1962
February 3, 1962
Personal letter to Jewel Brown from her Mother, Mrs. Inez K. Brown,
Personal letter from Robert B. Pope, a disabled veteran, Dorchester, Massachusetts
Christmas Card to Jewel Brown from Lucille and Louis Armstrong
December 14, 1951
American National Red Cross certification of Jewel Brown having completed a course in first aid,
October 23, 1961
Handwritten letter authorizing Carl E. Justice III to use Jewel Brown’s picture on advertisements and labels,
Blank contract,
AGVA Standard Form of Artists Engagement Contract; American Guild of Variety Artists, National Headquarters, 110 W. 57th Street, New York, New York
Roaring 20’s, S.D Nitery Reviews,
Variety
February 7, 1963: Review of performance of Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. One paragraph devoted to Jewel Brown;
Girl with a Song, music manuscript of song written for Jewel Brown by Jack Oglesby, 138 E. 12th St., Oakland, California
1
4
Correspondence: Management Contract Agreement with Sunset Enterprises, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y.,
December 13, 1961
Contract from Jewel Brown stipulating conditions to Sunset Enterprises to serve as Jewel Brown’s manager and advisor;
December 13, 1961; with copies
Newspaper clippings
Statement of Account, Dallas Branch, American Guild of Variety Artists, to Jewel Brown
1
5
Catalogues of exhibits containing the works of Mrs. Cherry
Newspaper clippings
No date
Louis Armstrong and his All Stars are rocking the Fairmont’s Venetian Room; Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, California;
No date
The fabulous Club Ebony presenting special holiday shows: featuring Jewel Brown and Wynonie Harris;
date missing
Armstrong and Basie add Female Vocalists and
Jewel Brown sings with enthusiasm at Basin Street East; The New York Times;
date missing
Club Ebony advertisement: 4415 Dowling at Rosewood, Houston, Texas, featuring Arthur Prysock Revue; I. H. Smalley Orchestra; Joe Blueitt, M.C.; Jewel Brown et al; newspaper title and
date missing
Club Ebony Advertisement: 4415 Dowling at Rosewood, Houston, Texas; featuring Anita Echols, Jewel “Teasin’” Brown, et al; newspaper title and
date missing
Old Satchmo’s Hello Dolly Wows ‘Em; Bill Taylor, Houston Chronicle;
date missing
High Spirits at the Music Hall; Review of Louis Armstrong; newspaper title and
Ol’ Satchmo Shows off a Jewel; See Hear, column by Mike Tytherleigh; The Province; Monday,
February 12, 1962; contains remarks about Jewel Brown; (2 copies)
date missing
Armstrong and the All Stars: Louis, the Showman; Ralph Gleason; newspaper title and
Newspaper column by Tony Zoppi,
Dallas Morning News, Thursday,
May 25, 1961; Picture of Jewel Brown and comments about her lucrative offer from Louis Armstrong
March 28, 1963
Old Satchmo Is As Good As Ever;
Daily Telegraph, Sydney, Australia,
February 5, 1963
Satchmo Gives With the Smiles and the Blues;
The San Diego Union, Tuesday,
1
6
Satchmo gets huge ovation; John Herron, Staff Reporter,
The Albertan (Canada); Friday,
January 19, 1968
The Greatest Night For The Cats;The Domif performance of Louis Armstrong and His All Stars; one paragraph devoted to Jewel Brown
The Greatest Night For The Cats;
The Domif performance of Louis Armstrong and His All Stars; one paragraph devoted to Jewel Brown
February 15, 1963
Satchmo and Friend, photograph of Jewel Brown performing with Louis Armstrong; Headline: Satchmo, Trumpet in Hand, Says Swings Around World Fun, but Like Leans, Too”;
Lewiston (Idaho) Morning Tribune Friday,
May 4, 1964
Advertisement:
Louis Armstrong and His Concert Group featuring Houston’s own Jewel Brown; Music Hall, Houston; Houston Post,
March 16, 1963
Singing in Public since 12; Newspaper story about Jewel Brown;
The Dominion, Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday,
April 28, 1962
The X-Factor in Jazz; Melody Maker Supplement;
April 16, 1963
He Blew Up a Furious Musical Storm: Audience Goes Wild over Satchmo; George Liu, China Mail, Hong Kong, Saturday,
August 30, 1962
Newspaper story about Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown;
Berlingske Aftenavis, Thursday,
March 18, 1963
Blues Singer Began Career at Age of 12 Newspaper story, The Evening Star, New Zealand,
January 12, 1963
Column:
Around Town with Ivan Paul, one paragraph devoted to Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown;
San Francisco Examiner, Saturday,
Point of View, column by Donald Freeman, Radio-TV Editor,
San Diego Union, Wednesday,
"Satchmo Plus Welk – Why Not?”
November 28, 1963 contains one paragraph about Jewel Brown
December 15, 1962
Voice Ticket for Travellin’ Gal Terry French; The Province, Saturday,
Louis on short ration says Bob Dawhorn
Melody Maker,
May 6, 1962
A Trumpet, A Smile and Goodwill
The Otaga Daily Times, Monday,
1
7
March 16, 1963
March 16, 1963
A Delicious Jazz Banquet critique,
The Otaga Daily Times, Monday,
March 18, 1963
Jazz at Town Hall, Astonishing Talent by Armstrong Dunedin, New Zealand Town Hall;
The Evening Star, Monday,
Stor Succe for Armstrong Aftonbladet, Thursday,
May 24, 1962 contains remarks about Jewel Brown; photograph of Jewel Brown with Louis Armstrong in the background
From Church Choir to Jazz and a Gown Every 3 Songs Newspaper story about Jewel Brown;
The Otaga Daily Times Monday,
March 16, 1963
Jazz Corner: Satchmo Held Them In His Hand Belfast Ireland News-Letter, Thursday,
April 26, 1962 ( 2 copies)
Who’s Who in Satchmo’s All Stars
Melody Maker (2 copies)
1
8
A Gem of a Twister a story about Jewel Brown;
New Zealand Truth, Welling, N. Z.,
March 19, 1963
May 5, 1962
Crowd-pleaser Jewel Pleases
Melody Maker, London,
February 7, 1963
About Satchmo and His Singer Point of View column; Donald Freeman, Radio-TV Editor,
San Diego Union, Thursday,
February 5, 1963
Satchmo Gives with Smiles and the Blues
San Diego Union Tuesday,
December 22, 1961
A Great Show with Satchmo Nick Lapole,
New York Journal American; Friday,
December 15, 1962
Voice Ticket for Travelin’ Gal Terry French,
The Province, Saturday,
March 22, 1963
Armstrong’s Magic Casts Spell New Zealand Herald, Friday,
May 25, 1962
NY Juvel Armstrongs Basta Sangerska; Aftonbladet, Friday,
1
9
Rousing ovation for jazz troupe The Christchurch Star, New Zealand, Monday,
March 11, 1963
Armstrong (dyrast I TV) pa ‘straland gott humor
Expressen Lordagen den 26 maj, 1962
Vendredi, 18 mai, 1962
Louis Armstrong plante come un roc dans le temps et les modes Hier soir, au Palis des Expositions a Nice; Nice-Matin;
May 24, 1962
Armstrong drog 12000 men gjorde knappast succe one paragraph devoted to “Yngsta medlemmen Jewel Brown;
Expressen, Thursday,
May 24, 1962
Nasduksdrama pa gronan – Louis s-n-o-t sig!
Expressen, Thursday,
‘Loset Sie’ in Zurich: Satchmo durfte nichte rauchen, King of Jazz wie eh und je Blick, Zurich, Switzerland, April 5; Photograph of Jewel Brown
March 14, 1963
Satchmo Great as Legend About Him
The Evening Post London, Thursday,
1
10
Billboard
Music Week,
February 24, 1962
Concert program in Japanese
1
11
Brown and friends gather at Miller Theatre Honoring the Crown Jewel of Houston Jazz Tim Carman;
The Houston Post, Friday,
August 26, 1988
Photographs
2
MSS-337.042
Louis Armstrong, trumpeter and singer; Jewel Brown in background
2
MSS-337.043
Jewel Brown and a fan at The Brant Inn, Ontario, Canada
2
MSS-337.044
Louis Armstrong playing trumpet, Norway
2
MSS-337.045
Jewel Brown and Trummy Young, Norway
2
MSS-337.046
Louis Armstrong and Trummy Young, Norway
2
MSS-337.047
Louis Armstrong
2
MSS-337.048
Jewel Brown during a performance in Norway
2
MSS-337.049
Louis Armstrong: publicity photograph by Associated Booking Corporation, Joe Glaser, President
2
MSS-337.050
Jewel Brown and Eddie Curtiss, lyric man; at wedding at Eagle Street home, Houston, Texas. Miss Brown was seventeen years old
2
MSS-337.051
Jewel Brown wearing academic cap and gown
2
MSS-337.052
Jewel Brown: publicity photograph by Associated Booking Corporation, Joe Glaser, President
2
MSS-337.053
Jewel Brown, publicity photograph
2
MSS-337.054
Jewel Brown and Howard Duff, actor, Los Angeles, California
2
MSS-337.055
Cora Woods who performed with Jewel Brown in San Antonio, Texas. Handwritten message suggests being in a wheelchair later
2
MSS-337.056
Jewel Brown; autographed photograph
2
MSS-337.057
Louis Armstrong: rear view, nude, in dressing room, New York City
2
MSS-337.058
Close-up photograph of Ray Charles during a concert with Louis Armstrong in France
2
MSS-337.059
George Gobel, comedian
2
MSS-337.060
Autographed photograph of Chuck Edwards, Houston guitarist who recorded exclusively for Duke Records, Houston, Texas
2
MSS-337.061
Jewel Brown during a performance at Club Ebony at Dowling and Rosewood Sts, Houston, Texas; in 1988 name changed to Club Supreme
2
MSS-337.062
George Gobel, comedian: with personal autograph for Jewel Brown
2
MSS-337.063
Louis Armstrong, Jewel Brown and Trummy Young, composer of the song “Strange Fruit,”
1961
2
MSS-337.064
Jewel Brown during a performance at the Living Room Club, Chicago, Illinois,
1965-1966
2
MSS-337.065
Jewel Brown at a club in the Catskill Mountains,
1963-1964
2
MSS-337.066
Jewel Brown in her dressing room, Leipzig, Germany, c.
1962-1963
2
MSS-337.067
Eddie Curtis, guitarist, and Jewel Brown’s ex-husband; personal autograph to Jewel Brown, New York City
2
MSS-337.068
Jewel Brown,
1958
2
MSS-337.069
Jewel Brown during a performance,
1961
2
MSS-337.070
Jewel Brown during a performance,
1965-1966
2
MSS-337.071
Jewel Brown during a performance,
1963-1964
2
MSS-337.072
Collage of Louis Armstrong and His Band during a performance: nine photographs
2
MSS-337.073
Jewel Brown during a performance
2
MSS-337.074
Eddie Curtis, guitarist for Decca Records; ex-husband of Jewel Brown; personal autograph to Jewel Brown
2
MSS-337.075
Eddie “King” Curtis playing vibraphone
2
MSS-337.076
Preston Keeling Brown, brother of Jewel Brown; Louis Armstrong; Mildred Brown, wife of Preston Brown and Jewel Brown. Photograph of folding cover from the Chi-Chi Starlite Room, Palm Springs, California
2
MSS-337.077
Theater marquee advertising performance of Louis Armstrong and His Band with Jewel Brown as soloist, South America
2
MSS-337.078
Souvenir folder from Gerry Dunn’s Pavilion, Bala, Ontario, Canada: crowd listening to Jewel Brown
2
MSS-337.079
Jewel Brown, publicity photograph
2
MSS-337.080
Louis Armstrong playing his trumpet, in Norway
2
MSS-337.081
Souvenir folder from Birdland, New York City: Jewel Brown and friend, Alton _____, whom she met in San Francisco, California
2
MSS-337.082
missing photograph
2
MSS-337.083
Initialized ring of Louis Armstrong on Louis Armstrong’s hand which is holding a cigarette: blurred face in background; somewhere in Scandinavia
2
MSS-337.084
Louis Armstrong and His Band in Toronto, Canada: Billy Kyle, piano; Trummie Young, trombone; Jewel Brown, singer; Joe Dannenburg, clarinet; Danny Barcelona, drums; Billy Cronk, bass, with Louis Armstrong, center-left
2
MSS-337.085
Jewel Brown during a performance in Europe
2
MSS-337.086
A-L Bound album of photographs of Jewel Brown in Prague, Czechoslovakia
3
MSS-337. 001
Opinion, Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday
March 14, 1963; newspaper personal account - Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.002
Members of the Louis Armstrong Band: Doc Pugh, Armstrong’s personal valet; Trummy Young, Trombonist; Joe Darrenburgh, clarinetist; and Danny Barcelona. Sun Valley,
1962. In 1988, Danny Barcelona was doing seminars for a drum manufacturing corporation
3
MSS-337.003
Preston Brown, brother of Jewel Brown; Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown; c.
1961 or
1962
3
MSS-337.004
Preston Brown, brother of Jewel Brown; Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown. Atlantic City, New Jersey,
1962
3
MSS-337.005
Inez Keeling Brown, mother of Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.006
Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.007
Jewel Brown, age 15
3
MSS-337.008
Jewel Brown, age 7
3
MSS-337.009
Jewel Brown, age 15
3
MSS-337.010
Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.011
Billy Kyle, piano; Trummie Young, trombone; Billy Cronk, bass; Joe Dannenburg, clarinet: members of Louis Armstrong Band
3
MSS-337.012
Jack Carter, comedian
3
MSS-337.013
Billy Kyle, piano; Billy Cronk, bass; Joe Dannenberg, clarinet; Danny Barcelona, drums; Louis Armstrong. Sun Valley, Idaho,
1962
3
MSS-337.014
Members of Louis Armstrong Band: Doc Pugh, Armstrong’s personal valet; Trummy Young, trombonist; Joe Dannenburg, clarinet; Danny Barcelona, drums; Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.015
Robert Sherman and Louis Armstrong, Sun Valley, Idaho,
1962
3
MSS-337.016
Son of Jewel Brown, age 8
3
MSS-337.017
Trummy Young; Jewel Brown, Billy Kyle; Louis Armstrong; Joe Dannenburg and Danny Barcelona,
April, 1962
3
MSS-337.018
Eddie Curtis, guitarist; once married to Jewel Brown; Divorced in 1956
3
MSS-337.019
Buckingham Palace
3
MSS-337.020
Louis and Lucille Armstrong
3
MSS-337.021
Lola Sung and Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.022
Pete Sellers and Jewel Brown
3
MSS-337.023
Jewel Brown; postcard photograph
3
MSS-337.024
Jewel Brown, postcard
3
MSS-337.025
Jewel Brown