Ada Scott Brown (May 1, 1890 – March 30, 1950)[1] was an American blues singer. She is best known for her recordings of "Ill Natural Blues", "Break o' Day Blues", and "Evil Mama Blues.[1]
Ada Brown | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ada Scott Brown |
| Born | May 1, 1890 Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| Died | March 30, 1950 (aged 59) Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1919–1950 |
Biography
Brown was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas.[1] Her cousin James Scott was a ragtime composer and pianist.[2]Her early career was spent primarily on stage in musical theater and vaudeville. She recorded with Bennie Moten and Mary H. Bradford in 1923; the side "Evil Mama Blues" is possibly the earliest recording of Kansas City jazz.[2] Aside from her time with Moten, she did several tours alongside bandleaders such as George E. Lee.[2]
Brown was a founding member of the Negro Actors Guild of America in 1936.[2] She worked at the London Palladium and on Broadway in the late 1930s.[2] She sang "That Ain't Right" with Fats Waller in the musical film Stormy Weather (1943).[3]
She also appeared in Harlem to Hollywood, accompanied by Harry Swannagan.[2] Brown was featured on two tracks of the compilation album Ladies Sing the Blues ("Break o' Day Blues" and "Evil Mama Blues").[4][5]
Brown died in Kansas City of kidney disease in March 1950.[1]