Brown, Cleo (1905–1995)

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Brown, Cleo (1905–1995)

American jazz pianist and vocalist. Name variations: C. Patra Brown. Born Cleopatra Brown, Dec 8, 1905, in Meridian, Mississippi; died April 15, 1995; sister of pianist Everett Brown.

Moved to Chicago (1919); started touring with shows; replaced Fats Waller on his NY radio program; had her own series on WABC and led her own group at the Three Deuces in Chicago; retired (1953); took up inspirational music, playing and singing under name C. Patra Brown (1973).

See also Women in World History.