In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Uzee Brown Jr.
Uzee Brown Jr.
Photo used with permission of the composer
b. 1950
The music of Uzee Brown Jr. is performed by choirs around the world. A native of Cowpens, South Carolina, Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, a Master of Music in Composition from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan. He has served as a member of the faculty at Morehouse College since 1973 and currently serves as Chair of the Division of Creative and Performing Arts. Additionally, he directed the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir for 12 years. As a highly respected researcher and lecturer on African-American vocal music, Brown is actively engaged in masterclasses, workshops, and recitals on music in the African-American tradition, arranging spirituals with great integrity and respect. In both his arrangements and original compositions for choir, he excels at evoking the mood of texts through music.
Suggested choral pieces:
- We Shall Overcome (GIA Publications G-7197)
- This River (GIA Publications)
- Go Where I Send Thee (GIA Publications G-5777)