Research

My investigation centers on vocal performance in a diverse world and the integration and improvisation of fusing those entities for futuristic discussion. This research is based on an ongoing analysis of diasporic  groups of African, African American, Latin American, Caribbean and Canadian origins and includes studies into the teaching methodology of singing performers with severe disabilities.

PAPERS, PERFORMANCES, PROJECTS (abbreviated)

2020

April–Book Launch, Paris, France

Jan–Enigma, Writing Residence, Halifax, Canada

2019

Oct–Nov.–Enigma, Writing Residence, Halifax, Canada

July–Master Classes, Prague, Chesky, Czech Republic

June–Book Launch, Allentown, Pennsylvania

April–Master Classes, Barcelona, Spain

2018

July 13 –Jazz East Halifax Jazz Festival, Halifax, Canada

July 15 – Jongleur Community Performance Scholarship & Global Arts Festival, Halifax, Canada

June 9-15 – Artist in Residence - Master Classes, Graduate Study Lecturers, Voice Concert, Jazz Choral Director & Soloist, Bergen, Norway

April 30 - St. Mary’s University, English Poetry with Poet Brian Bartlett, Halifax, Canada

February 15-18 – Jeri Brown Opera Company presents: Vera's Lament Jazz Opera, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax, Canada

January 26– Open Waters Festival, Halifax, Canada

January 12 –Distinguished Lecture/Workshop: Oral Traditions & Cuba, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

2017

Nov. – Guest Poet, Poetry of Adam Nowland, Halifax, Canada

Nov. –Guest Poet, Dublin Street Poets, Halifax, Canada

July 14 –Jongleur Global Arts Festival, Halifax, Canada

May 25 - Masters Degree in Journalism, Dalhousie University & University of Kings College, Halifax, Canada

2016

October 25 - Jeri Brown Opera Company launch - Afro Waltz, Montreal, Quebec

October – Artist in Residence, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

October – Artist in Residence, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada

October - Jeri Brown , Jazz Moves Forward with Byron Tymas, Woody Woods, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

September - Lyric Poetry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

April - Visiting Artist and Guest Lecturer, University of North Carolina (Central), Durham, North Carolina

April - Visiting Artist and Guest Lecturer, University of North Carolina (Central), Durham, North Carolina

February – Visiting Artist and Guest Lecturer, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

February – Visiting Artist and Guest Lecturer, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

2015

October – Memorial University, Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada Newfoundland 2015 - Concordia University, several workshops including: Creative Writing, Screenplay, 2015

•December – University of Texas Invited Speaker, paper: Singing Performers with Severe Disabilities, Austin, Texas 2015

•June –University of Toronto Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada 2015

•October – Artist in Residence, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

•October – Artist in Residence, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada

October –Guest Lecturer, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada 2015

      •       June- Guest Lecturer, University of Toronto, Canada 2015

• Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, Cast Member, Choreographer Afro Waltz Opera Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal, Aug., 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)
• Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, JB Pumped Arkestra: Jazz Vocal Tribute: Ladies of Jazz – international tour e.g. U.S., Canada, France, Africa February 2012-November, 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)

2015/16 – Janne & Jeri Love Songs (Maarala Productions & Jongleur Productions) release worldwide

2015/16 – Tymer & Brown Vocal Improvised Sensibilities release worldwide

2015/16 – Moving Through Jazz: original tunes of Jeri Brown release worldwide

2015/2016 – Jeri Brown Duo Recordings Volume II featuring Baron Tymas

October 5 - Singer Symposium Paper and Presentation, Memorial University, Newfoundland

•December – University of Texas Invited Speaker, paper: Singing Performers with Severe Disabilities, Austin, Texas 2015

•October – Memorial University, Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada Newfoundland 2015

•June –University of Toronto Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada 2015

•       October –Guest Lecturer, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada 2015

      •       June- Guest Lecturer, University of Toronto, Canada 2015

•December – University of Texas Invited Speaker, paper: Singing Performers with Severe Disabilities, Austin, Texas 2015

•October – Memorial University, Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada Newfoundland 2015

•June –University of Toronto Invited Speaker, paper: Vocal Ecosystems, Toronto, Canada 2015

• Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, Cast Member, Choreographer Afro Waltz Opera Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal, Aug., 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)
• Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, Cast Member, Choreographer Afro Waltz Opera Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal, Aug., 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)

2014

• • • April –Clinician and guest artist, Finland, 2014
    • February –Clinician and guest artist, Knead University, New Jersey, 2014
    • February–Clinician and guest artist, California University, 2014
    • February–Clinician and guest artist, Brooklyn Museum, 2014

    •  

    • Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, JB Pumped Arkestra: Jazz Vocal Tribute: Ladies of Jazz – international tour e.g. U.S., Canada, France, Africa February 2012-November, 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)
    • Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist Esprit Nit Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal, November, 2014 (future performances scheduled in 2016)
    •  Jeri Brown in Concert Finland Helsinki Big Band & Janne Maarala Sextet, Finland 2014

    • •May - Artist in Residence, Helsinki & Malmito, Finland 2014

      •February - Kean University, New Jersey 2014

      •February – Brooklyn Museum, New York 2014

    • - St. Mary’s University, Teaching English as a Second Language TESL Certification, 2014

    •  

      •Sojourner Truth Theatre Presentation Film (Brooklyn Museum New York premiere)2014

      •Sojourner Truth Theatre Presentation Film (Kneed University New Jersey premiere) 2014

      • JB Pumped Arkestra of Montreal production (Montreal premiere ) 2014

       

March 5–Faculty Concert Launch (JB Pumped Arkestra), Oscar Peterson Concert Hall

• • • April –Clinician and guest artist, Finland, 2014
    • February –Clinician and guest artist, Knead University, New Jersey, 2014
    • February–Clinician and guest artist, California University, 2014
    • February–Clinician and guest artist, Brooklyn Museum, 2014

    • •       April - Invited Adjudicator, & Presenter, ECMA competition 2014

               •       May - Invited Speaker & Adjudicator, Helsinki, Finland 2014

                                          •       February – Invited Speaker & Adjudicator, California Jazz Conservatory, Berkeley, California 2014

      •May –  Invited Artist, Adjudicator, Malmito Cultural Center with Helsinki Orchestra, Finland 2014

      •October-April - Invited Adjudicator, & Presenter, ECMA (East Coast Music Awards competition 2014

    • Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist Esprit Nit Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal, November, 2014

2013

Town of Mo Film production (Montreal premiere theatre production) 2013

•First Ladies of Jazz Presentation Film (The Jazz School, Berkeley, California premiere) 2013

Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Choral Director, Conductor, Choreographer Fathom for theatre and ballet– international tour: Crowley Arts Center, Montreal; Temeculah Theatre, California; May, Aug., 2013 (future performances scheduled in 2016)

In the Time of Summer Billboard Spoken Word Presentation & Award (Bus Boys, Washington, D. C. premiere) 2013

April 13–Carthage Jazz Festival, Tunis, Tunisia

March 2—Target Performance Series, Los Angeles

February 12–Jeri Brown live performance recording, Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA

February-March - Invited Speaker, Adjudicator, Musician’s Institute, California 2013

         •       April - Invited Artist & Lecturer, Tunis, Africa 2013

         •       April - Invited Artist & Lecturer, Georgia State University 2013

• • • February –Clinician and guest artist, Musicians Institute, 2013
    • February –Clinician and guest artist, Carthage Festival, Africa, 2013
    • February –Clinician and guest artist, Georgia State University, 2013
    • February –Clinician and guest artist, Salford University, 2013

    • February–March - Artist in Residence, Musicians Institute, Hollywood, California 2013

      •April – Artist in Residence, Tunis, Africa 2013

      •June – Cal Arts, Artist in Residence, San Francisco, California 2013

      •April – Invited Speaker, Rethinking Jazz Cultures, University of Salford, Salford, England 2013

      •April – Invited Speaker & Adjudicator, Tunis, Africa, 2013

      •April – Invited Speaker, Presenter, Improvising Brain Symposium, Georgia State University, Georgia 2013

      •April - Invited Adjudicator ECMA East Coast Music Awards competition 2013

2012

• • • Playwright, Producer, Solo Artist for Small Ensemble, Featured Vocal Artist, Ain’t I A Woman’: Tribute to Sojourner Truth – international tour: Williams College, Brooklyn Center for the Arts, Knead University, Litchfield Jazz Festival,
    • Playwright, Arranger, Producer, Director, Conductor, Featured Vocal Artist, JB Pumped Arkestra: Jazz Vocal Tribute: Ladies of Jazz – international tour e.g. U.S., Canada, France, Africa February 2012-November, 2015 (future performances scheduled in 2016)

    • Playwright, Producer, Solo Artist for Small Ensemble, Featured Vocal Artist, Ain’t I A Woman’: Tribute to Sojourner Truth – international tour: Williams College, Brooklyn Center for the Arts, Knead University, Litchfield Jazz Festival, 2012-2014 (future performances scheduled in 2016)

    • April 13, 14–Show Choir Canada-Toronto; Jeri Brown as adjudicator and workshop presenter and performer  (televised event), 2012
    • March 1–CJLO radio station 1690 AM, guest lecturer and artist, 2012
    • February 7–Clinician and guest artist, Batshaw Youth and Family Centre, 2012
    • Innumerable, usually associated with concert performances. Master classes and workshops have been conducted in Canada, USA, France, Switzerland and Italy.
    • Adjudicator, Second Annual Show Choir Canada National Championships, Toronto (13-14 April 2012).
    • •September – Artist in Residence, Williams College 2012

    • •October-April - Invited Adjudicator ECMA East Coast Music Awards competition 2012

      •Dec. – Invited Speaker, Faculty Research Series, Concordia, 2012

      Life’s Journey - Journal Publication (International Journal of Contemporary Composition (IJCC)) 2012

April 21–Jeri Brown Jongleur School Concert Fundraiser, Jongleur Vocal Arts Performance School-Montreal: founder, director, featuring faculty and students

April 19-Le Balcon – Montreal; Jeri Brown one-woman Storytelling theatrical performance; leader, vocal performer, actor, arranger, author featuring Jeri Brown ensemble featuring Chris Tauchner- pno, Sage Reynolds-bass (cultural vocal stylists)

April 13, 14–Show Choir Canada-Toronto; Jeri Brown as adjudicator and workshop presenter and performer  (televised event)

April 4–Oscar Peterson Concert Hall-Montreal; Jeri Brown Jazz Choir Concert

March 30–Café Paradiso-Ottawa; Jeri Brown in Concert; co-leader, vocal performer, arranger, author, Jeri Brown (as part of JUNO awards event as former JUNO nominee) (musical improvisations performance)

March 15-Le Balcon – Montreal; Jeri Brown one-woman theatrical premiere; leader, vocal performer, actor, arranger, author, Jeri Brown ensemble featuring Chris Tauchner -pno, Sage Reynolds-bass (Canadian vocalists and songwriters)

March 28 - D.B.Clarke Theatre-Montreal; Jeri Brown Vocal a capella Scholarship Award Competition

January 13 Upstairs – Montreal; Jeri Brown in Concert, leader, vocal performer, actor, author featuring Chris Tauchner -pno, Sage Reynolds-bass, Evan Tighe -drms as Jeri Brown and the CTQ ensemble  (vocal renditions, poetic recitations, dramatic readings, and improvisation)

2011

August 28 NOLA’s – Los Angeles; Jeri Brown in Concert, leader, performer, arranger, Jeri Brown Ensemble featuring John B. Williams-bs, Ron McCurdy-drums, Woody Woods-pno  (tribute to Duke Ellington)

June 25 Festival Alexandria-Alexandria, ON; Jeri Brown in Concert, leader, vocal performer featuring Chris Tauchner -pno, Sage Reynolds-bs (classic vocal jazz and improvisation)

June 18 Atlantica-Halifax; Jeri Brown in Concert: leader, vocal performer, pianist, arranger, Jeri Brown Trio

ARTICLES, PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS  AS ARTS WRITER (abbreviated)

2018

January 26- Open Waters Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia

January 12 - Distinguished Lecture/Workshop: Oral Traditions & Cuba, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

February 15-18 - Jeri Brown Opera Company presents: Vera's Lament Jazz Opera, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia

June 15 - Voice Concert, Bergen, Norway

July 13 - Jazz East Halifax Jazz Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia

July 15 - Jongleur Community Performance Scholarship & Global Arts Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia
 

2017

July 14 - Jongleur Global Arts Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov. - Poetry of Adam Nowland, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov. Dublin Street Poets, Halifax, Nova Scotia

2016

2015

2014

February 23–Martin Luther King, Jr. performance, Brooklyn Museum

February 22–Sojourner Truth–Ain’t I a Woman, Keen University

2013

September 27– Sojourner Truth–Ain’t I a Woman, Williams College

2012

July–Sojourner Truth–Ain’t I a Woman, Litchfield Jazz Festival, performance project launch: member, vocal performer, actor, featuring sextet: Avery Sharpe - bs, composer, producer, Onaje Allan Gumbs  -pno, Yorun Israel - drms, Craig Handy  -saxophones, Duane Eubanks  -trpt, Jeri Brown -vocals, actor

RECORDINGS RELEASED (CDs), WITH ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS INDICATED

2013

September –Echoes: Live at Catalina Jazz Club (Jongleur Productions); released worldwide

2012

May –Sojourner Truth–Ain’t I a Woman (JKNM Records). About the project: the struggle and contributions of African American abolitionist and woman's rights activist Sojourner Truth are rendered through original musical compositions by artist and educator Avery Sharpe. The recording is based on her life and famous speech for woman suffrage in 1851, later titled “Ain’t I A Woman”.  Colleagues included in the jazz sextet: Onaje Allan Gumbs-piano, Yoron Israel-drums, Craig Handy-saxophones, Duane Eubanks-trumpet, Jeri Brown-vocals, Avery Sharpe-bass. Recorded December 2011, New Jersey.

2011

October 15 – Storytelling (Jongleur Productions) released worldwide. Jeri Brown: vocals, arranger, producer. Soul-packed project is a tribute to vocal artistry, particularly demonstrating timbre, texture, tone and melismatic inflection of emotive qualities unique to Black American culture. The recording features Jeri Brown’s four original compositions:

Bow to You

Vocal Spree

Rise Consummate Listener

Rise Vocal Compatriot

OTHER PRODUCTIONS

2012

March 28 – Dorval; Jeri Brown, Composer – internal presentation of play, premiering original compositions of Jeri Brown commissioned for Community Youth Project with Creative Arts Therapy play production written by Dr. Stephen Snow.

> Beyond Pedagogy: Working With the Challenged Singer (Univ. of Texas, SEM, 2015) [PDF]

Beyond Pedagogy: Working With the Challenged Singer

Jeri Brown, Concordia University

2015, SEM conference, University of Texas:

Beyond Pedagogy: Working with Singing Performer with Severe Disability

“When I am singing, the joy that it gives me is that I feel that I am 

part of a universe that has kind of been closed to people with physical 

limitations. When I am singing I feel that I am already involved in that 

community and that I am contributing something that is unique from what

other people are used to.” - Paul Tshuma

After reading a couple of his poems, I was motivated 

by his work, and returned to my pen and paper. From that day till 

today, I have never stopped writing poems.

>How Can the Jazz Singer Improvise Through Vocalecosystems?[PDF]

While jazz vocal improvisation appears on the surface to involve few or no rules, it is a form of communication between artist and listener, where the artist adheres to a set of rules or principles. Here the jazz improviser is treated as part of an ecosystem, a concept in the biological sciences that comprises a set of interacting organisms and environments in a particular place.

>How can the singer improve readiness for intense theatrical performance [PDF]

>J. Brown, Creating Improvisation – Voice in Action through Vocal Ecosystems, Jongleur Press, 2013.[PDF]

>Connections of Lyrics and Poetry From an Oral Tradition[PDF]

Connections of lyrics and poetry from an oral tradition and otherwise known as performance art as recognized in key elements in lyric poetry: 1) iambic pentameter, 2) lyric poetry combining iambic pentameter, and 3) rhythmic delivery with music overlapping and  4) ballad formats

>Folksongs of African Americans [PDF[

>My Personal Journey as Griotte & Poet [PDF]

Activist forms of minority protests through rights & ritual song

>Vocal Ecosystems Beyond Pedagogy: Working With Challenges [PDF]

Knowledge of vocal improvised music, whether demonstrated by high or low obscure pitch sounds, the beating of the chest while making music sounds, vocal pitch matching or vocal animation with or without the use of technology, has paved the way for a steady stream of vocal artists through the years, each dedicated to vocal exploration.

>Vocal Ecosystems: How Do We Really Improvise in Vocal Jazz? [PDF]

> How can the singer improve readiness for intense theatrical performance? [PDF]

Adapting a story to actable form is the real challenge sometimes requiring high or relatively dark emotional content to be adapted for the stage as a form of entertainment.

 Beyond Pedagogy: Working With the Challenged Singer (Univ. of Texas, SEM, 2015) [PDF]