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Walking Down the Freedom Road: Oscar Brown Jr. at 100

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October 10, 2026 was the 100th birthday of the great Chicago-born-and-bred singer, songwriter, poet, playwright, and civil rights activist Oscar Brown Jr.. Caminhos do Jazz joined the celebration, focusing on Brown's pathbreaking debut, Sin & Soul (Columbia Records, 1961 [recorded in 1960]), and pulling in choice cuts from Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Amber Weekes' beautiful 2026 album, To Oscar With Love (Amber Inn), which was released to coincide with his centennial. Brown stands as a genius worthy of the widest acclaim. His work shines as brightly in 2026 it did in the 1960s, when Sin & Soul burst upon the scene, continuing to light the freedom road he spoke of in "Brown Baby" with heart and humor. Viva.

Playlist

  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Mr. Kicks" (Brown) from Sin & Soul ... and Then Some (Columbia, 1996) 00:36
  • Amber Weekes "Strong Man, featuring Paul Jackson Jr & Mark Cargill" (Brown) from To Oscar with Love (Amber Inn, 2026) 05:46
  • Amber Weekes "Hazel's Hips (To Oscar with Love)" (Brown) from To Oscar with Love (Amber Inn, 2026) 11:12
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Work Song" (Nat Adderley & Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 18:52
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "But I Was Cool" (Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 21:25
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Bid 'Em In" (Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 24:20
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Signifyin' Monkey" (Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 26:57
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Watermelon Man" (Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 30:57
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Somebody Buy Me a Drink" (Norman Curtis & Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 33:36
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Rags and Old Iron" (Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 42:23
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Dat Dere" (Bobby Timmons & Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 46:06
  • Oscar Brown Jr. "Afro Blue" (Mongo Santamaria & Brown) from Sin & Soul (Columbia, 1961) 52:03
  • Amber Weekes "A Tree and Me, featuring Tony Campodonico & Paul Jackson Jr." (Brown) from To Oscar with Love (Amber Inn, 2026) 54:44

Katchie Cartwright FOLLOW Katchie Cartwright and get notified whenever a new article published.
Ethnomusicologist, singer-flutist, writer, radio host (KRTU San Antonio 91.7FM).


About Oscar Brown Jr.

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