Judi Ann Brown: Bio
Hi, I'm Judi Ann Brown, singer-songwriter of childrens songs, contemporary pop, R&B and faith-based music. I also have a passion for singing the great standards of the 30's and 40's as featured vocalist with our band, Classic Jazz.
As lead vocalist with R&B show bands, jazz and pop ensembles and as a single performer, career highlights include performances as opening acts for such groups as the Spinners and the Lettermen early in my career.
When I began working with Mel Wheeler, a great jazz player from Minneapolis, a collaboration of children's songs developed as a result of searching for good children's music for our young families. The result was Kids Are Beautiful People CD and sing-along coloring book. Mel's jazz styling is a delight on all the keyboard and horn arrangements, and this project has been featured in several publications and on radio (Radio Aahs, Mpls. and Kids Radio Mania and WHO, Des Moines) and TV. Mel is currently working on a project entitled Creation, of classical and jazz interpretatons plus a nearly completed Jazz Standards album in which his jazz interpretations are ready for vocals...I can't wait!
As an artist-in-schools sponsored by the Iowa Arts Council and as a part-time teacher of music and art (BFA, Drake University), I've collaborated with hundreds of Iowa school children in creating songs that bring to life: curriculum learning, school pride, story telling, environmental concerns, character building, and just plain fun!
Many of the songs created with students were collaborations with recording artist and co-writer Brian Tabach. We teamed up with Smoother Sailing Counselors and at-risk students for Kid Komposers, a collaboration of songs based on inter-personal relationships that is being used by teachers and counselors.
As a CHARACTER COUNTS! Through the Arts artist I've also collaborated with school students to write many songs based on the six pillars of character. A compilation of these songs, It Starts with Me, Myself and I, will be available soon. In addition to my work with the Iowa Arts Council and CHARACTER COUNTS!, I've recently been working as a Metro Arts artist in both music and art, presenting Green Arts interactive arts activities for students through 8th grade featuring Iowa song birds (music) and Iowa's prairie habitat (art), designing Prairie Prints using recyclable materials.
I'm also working on an EP of contemporary stylings of songs based on my home state, Iowa, the Native American word for Beautiful Land. Iowa Beautiful Land, the title cut has been used for film and celebrations in commemoration of Iowa's Sesquicentennial.
As a young girl I remember listening to my parents' albums featuring the great standards (songs by Patti Page, Glen Miller, Doris Day and others), and I've been hooked ever since. My first real gig was with Des Moines Hall of Fame trumpeter, Bob Weast and his band. We performed for venues such as nursing homes and prisons as part of the Musician's Union Trust Fund. My love and passion for the standards remain, and I'm fortunate to again be working with the best players in the Midwest, Classic Jazz, including the legendary Bob Weast. I'm also now working with keyboard player, Nick Rieser, a jazz talent transplanted from Chicago. Our duo is Sheer Indulgence, tasty sounds of the great standards with just the right key and fresh arrangements to please any audience. For 2012 performance dates check the "Calendar" or "Contact" tab for info.
Through the years I've written many songs of faith, and when I was asked to participate in the 2008 JuneJam concert series, it was the catalyst for revitalizing several songs. It was a blast to finally share these faith messages that sat in a file way too long, and I'm planning to produce these soon. The song, Make My Heart Your Home has been used for the youth confirmation final celebration at Meredith Drive Church and The Bridge and will be the title cut on the EP.
I'm enjoying some time for creative endeavors with a bit of sub teaching in the schools and summer teaching at the Des Moines Art Center. Besides singing and writing music, I love painting, prop and design work for film, fashion (especially styles from the 30's and 40's), modeling, and spending time with husband, Charlie Brown, daughter Lisa and son, Joshua.