Charles Brown (musician)

Charles Brown
Brown performing in 1996
Background information
Birth nameTony Russell Brown
Born(1922-09-13)September 13, 1922
Texas City, Texas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 21, 1999(1999-01-21) (aged 76)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres Urban blues Rhythm and blues
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Piano
  • vocals
Years active1943–1999
Labels
Alma materPrairie View A&M College

Tony Russell "Charles" Brown (September 13, 1922 – January 21, 1999) was an American singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced nightclub style influenced West Coast blues in the 1940s and 1950s. Between 1949 and 1952, Brown had seven Top 10 hits in the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. His best-selling recordings included "Driftin' Blues" and "Merry Christmas Baby".