TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Restrictions
Index Terms
Related Material
Administrative Information
Description of Series
Promotional Materials and Reviews
Photographs
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Jewel Brown Collection
MSS.0337
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Creator |
Brown, Jewel |
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Title: |
Jewel Brown Collection |
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Dates: |
Bulk, 1960-1969 |
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Dates: |
1950-1988, 1960-1969 |
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Identification: |
MSS.0337 |
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Quantity: |
5.0 Linear feet, 2 document boxes, 1 negative box |
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Language: |
Materials are in English. |
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Repository: |
Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library |
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.
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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.
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Arrangement |
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Series 1: Promotional Materials and Reviews |
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Series 2: Photographs |
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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.
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Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971 |
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Brown, Jewel |
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Performance artists--Texas--Houston |
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Singers--Texas--Houston |
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Oral History tapes #OH-451 and #OH-452 |
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Jewel Brown Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.
Collection donated by Jewel Brown.
Processed by: Charles Stephenson and Tammy Jordan, January 2007.
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Promotional Materials and Reviews |
| Box |
Folder |
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1 |
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This Month in Dallas; Jewel Brown, p. 51 January, 1961 |
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March 17, 1962 |
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May 14, 1958 |
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February 26, 1962 |
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March 29, 1962 |
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June 6, 1963 |
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Souvenir program from Denmark |
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Folder |
| 1 |
2 |
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Zest Houston Chronicle,
"Houston Jazz Singer Jewel Brown ends 15 years of retirement" Cover story by Michael Spies, August 21, 1988 |
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Dec. 9-15; Dec. 16-22; Dec. 23-29 (2 copies) June 2-8, 1961 |
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Advertisement: “Louis Armstrong and His All Stars; New Latin Quarter, Magatacha, Chiyodu-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Box |
Folder |
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3 |
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Personal letter from Dennis Paget, William Morris Agency;
February 5, 1962; Attached is a column by Charley Channel;
Sunday News, February 4, 1962 |
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February 3, 1962 |
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Personal letter from Robert B. Pope, a disabled veteran, Dorchester, Massachusetts |
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Christmas Card to Jewel Brown from Lucille and Louis Armstrong |
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December 14, 1951 |
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October 23, 1961 |
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February 7, 1963: Review of performance of Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. One paragraph devoted to Jewel Brown; |
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
4 |
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Correspondence: Management Contract Agreement with Sunset Enterprises, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y., December 13, 1961 |
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Newspaper clippings |
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Statement of Account, Dallas Branch, American Guild of Variety Artists, to Jewel Brown |
| Box |
Folder |
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5 |
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Catalogues of exhibits containing the works of Mrs. Cherry |
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Newspaper clippings |
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No date |
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No date |
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date missing |
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date missing |
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date missing |
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date missing |
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date missing |
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date missing |
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March 28, 1963 |
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February 5, 1963 |
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| Box |
Folder |
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6 |
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"Satchmo gets huge ovation;" John Herron, Staff Reporter,
The Albertan (Canada); Friday, January 19, 1968 |
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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 |
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February 15, 1963 |
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May 4, 1964 |
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March 16, 1963 |
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April 28, 1962 |
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April 16, 1963 |
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August 30, 1962 |
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March 18, 1963 |
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January 12, 1963 |
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"Satchmo Plus Welk – Why Not?”
November 28, 1963 contains one paragraph about Jewel Brown |
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December 15, 1962 |
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Folder |
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7 |
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May 6, 1962 "A Trumpet, A Smile and Goodwill " The Otaga Daily Times, Monday, March 16, 1963 |
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March 16, 1963 |
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March 18, 1963 |
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March 16, 1963 |
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| Box |
Folder |
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8 |
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"A Gem of a Twister" a story about Jewel Brown;
New Zealand Truth, Welling, N. Z., March 19, 1963 |
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May 5, 1962 |
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February 7, 1963 |
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February 5, 1963 |
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December 22, 1961 |
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December 15, 1962 |
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March 22, 1963 |
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May 25, 1962 |
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Folder |
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9 |
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"Rousing ovation for jazz troupe" The Christchurch Star, New Zealand, Monday, March 11, 1963 |
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Vendredi, 18 mai, 1962 |
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May 24, 1962 |
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May 24, 1962 |
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March 14, 1963 |
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Folder |
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10 |
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Billboard Music Week, February 24, 1962 |
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Concert program in Japanese |
| Box |
Folder |
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11 |
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"Brown and friends gather at Miller Theatre Honoring the Crown Jewel of Houston Jazz " Tim Carman;
The Houston Post, Friday, August 26, 1988 |
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Photographs |
| Box |
Number |
| 2 |
MSS-337.042 |
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Louis Armstrong, trumpeter and singer; Jewel Brown in background |
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MSS-337.043 |
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Jewel Brown and a fan at The Brant Inn, Ontario, Canada |
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MSS-337.044 |
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Louis Armstrong playing trumpet, Norway |
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MSS-337.045 |
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Jewel Brown and Trummy Young, Norway |
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MSS-337.046 |
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Louis Armstrong and Trummy Young, Norway |
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MSS-337.047 |
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Louis Armstrong |
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MSS-337.048 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance in Norway |
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MSS-337.049 |
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Louis Armstrong: publicity photograph by Associated Booking Corporation, Joe Glaser, President |
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MSS-337.050 |
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Jewel Brown and Eddie Curtiss, lyric man; at wedding at Eagle Street home, Houston, Texas. Miss Brown was seventeen years old |
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MSS-337.051 |
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Jewel Brown wearing academic cap and gown |
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MSS-337.052 |
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Jewel Brown: publicity photograph by Associated Booking Corporation, Joe Glaser, President |
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MSS-337.053 |
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Jewel Brown, publicity photograph |
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MSS-337.054 |
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Jewel Brown and Howard Duff, actor, Los Angeles, California |
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MSS-337.055 |
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Cora Woods who performed with Jewel Brown in San Antonio, Texas. Handwritten message suggests being in a wheelchair later |
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MSS-337.056 |
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Jewel Brown; autographed photograph |
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MSS-337.057 |
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Louis Armstrong: rear view, nude, in dressing room, New York City |
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MSS-337.058 |
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Close-up photograph of Ray Charles during a concert with Louis Armstrong in France |
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MSS-337.059 |
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George Gobel, comedian |
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MSS-337.060 |
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Autographed photograph of Chuck Edwards, Houston guitarist who recorded exclusively for Duke Records, Houston, Texas |
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MSS-337.061 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance at Club Ebony at Dowling and Rosewood Sts, Houston, Texas; in 1988 name changed to Club Supreme |
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MSS-337.062 |
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George Gobel, comedian: with personal autograph for Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.063 |
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Louis Armstrong, Jewel Brown and Trummy Young, composer of the song “Strange Fruit,” 1961 |
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MSS-337.064 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance at the Living Room Club, Chicago, Illinois, 1965-1966 |
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MSS-337.065 |
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Jewel Brown at a club in the Catskill Mountains, 1963-1964 |
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MSS-337.066 |
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Jewel Brown in her dressing room, Leipzig, Germany, c. 1962-1963 |
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MSS-337.067 |
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Eddie Curtis, guitarist, and Jewel Brown’s ex-husband; personal autograph to Jewel Brown, New York City |
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MSS-337.068 |
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Jewel Brown, 1958 |
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MSS-337.069 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance, 1961 |
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MSS-337.070 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance, 1965-1966 |
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MSS-337.071 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance, 1963-1964 |
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MSS-337.072 |
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Collage of Louis Armstrong and His Band during a performance: nine photographs |
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MSS-337.073 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance |
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MSS-337.074 |
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Eddie Curtis, guitarist for Decca Records; ex-husband of Jewel Brown; personal autograph to Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.075 |
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Eddie “King” Curtis playing vibraphone |
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MSS-337.076 |
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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 |
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MSS-337.077 |
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Theater marquee advertising performance of Louis Armstrong and His Band with Jewel Brown as soloist, South America |
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MSS-337.078 |
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Souvenir folder from Gerry Dunn’s Pavilion, Bala, Ontario, Canada: crowd listening to Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.079 |
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Jewel Brown, publicity photograph |
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MSS-337.080 |
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Louis Armstrong playing his trumpet, in Norway |
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MSS-337.081 |
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Souvenir folder from Birdland, New York City: Jewel Brown and friend, Alton _____, whom she met in San Francisco, California |
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MSS-337.082 |
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missing photograph |
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MSS-337.083 |
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Initialized ring of Louis Armstrong on Louis Armstrong’s hand which is holding a cigarette: blurred face in background; somewhere in Scandinavia |
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MSS-337.084 |
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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 |
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MSS-337.085 |
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Jewel Brown during a performance in Europe |
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MSS-337.086 |
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A-L Bound album of photographs of Jewel Brown in Prague, Czechoslovakia |
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Number |
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MSS-337. 001 |
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Opinion, Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday
March 14, 1963; newspaper personal account - Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.002 |
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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 |
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MSS-337.003 |
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Preston Brown, brother of Jewel Brown; Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown; c.
1961 or
1962 |
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MSS-337.004 |
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Preston Brown, brother of Jewel Brown; Louis Armstrong and Jewel Brown. Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1962 |
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MSS-337.005 |
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Inez Keeling Brown, mother of Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.006 |
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Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.007 |
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Jewel Brown, age 15 |
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MSS-337.008 |
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Jewel Brown, age 7 |
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MSS-337.009 |
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Jewel Brown, age 15 |
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MSS-337.010 |
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Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.011 |
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Billy Kyle, piano; Trummie Young, trombone; Billy Cronk, bass; Joe Dannenburg, clarinet: members of Louis Armstrong Band |
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MSS-337.012 |
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Jack Carter, comedian |
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MSS-337.013 |
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Billy Kyle, piano; Billy Cronk, bass; Joe Dannenberg, clarinet; Danny Barcelona, drums; Louis Armstrong. Sun Valley, Idaho, 1962 |
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MSS-337.014 |
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Members of Louis Armstrong Band: Doc Pugh, Armstrong’s personal valet; Trummy Young, trombonist; Joe Dannenburg, clarinet; Danny Barcelona, drums; Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.015 |
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Robert Sherman and Louis Armstrong, Sun Valley, Idaho, 1962 |
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MSS-337.016 |
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Son of Jewel Brown, age 8 |
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MSS-337.017 |
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Trummy Young; Jewel Brown, Billy Kyle; Louis Armstrong; Joe Dannenburg and Danny Barcelona, April, 1962 |
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MSS-337.018 |
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Eddie Curtis, guitarist; once married to Jewel Brown; Divorced in 1956 |
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MSS-337.019 |
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Buckingham Palace |
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MSS-337.020 |
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Louis and Lucille Armstrong |
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MSS-337.021 |
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Lola Sung and Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.022 |
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Pete Sellers and Jewel Brown |
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MSS-337.023 |
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Jewel Brown; postcard photograph |
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MSS-337.024 |
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Jewel Brown, postcard |
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MSS-337.025 |
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Jewel Brown |
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