Memorials › Velzoe Audrey Brown

Velzoe Audrey Brown

1 Mar 1910 – 4 May 2011

Birth1 Mar 1910
Death4 May 2011
Added byRita Brown Cortright on 13 Jan 2024
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85130448

Bio

Velzoe Brown BORN: March 1, 1910, Nebraska DIED: May 4, 2011, Santa Cruz HOME: Santa Cruz OCCUPATION: Jazz musician and teacher COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Toured with her jazz group Velzoe Brown & the Upbeats in elder care homes throughout Santa Cruz County SERVICES: A public celebration of her life is in the planning stages. Velzoe Brown, the 101-year-old jazz pianist beloved by generations of Santa Cruz County musicians, died Wednesday at her home in Santa Cruz. Brown was born in Nebraska in 1910, and toured the country at 16 as a trombone player in an all-female jazz group called the Pollyanna Syncopators in the 1920s. Throughout the '30s, '40s and '50s, she continued to play with a number of touring jazz bands. ~~~~ Velzoe Brown, a longtime Santa Cruz resident, passed away peacefully in her home on May 4 at the age of 101. Velzoe grew up with musical parents, Metta Amelia Fouke Brown and Roy C. Brown, on a farm in Omaha Nebraska. She followed her mother's example and learned to play the piano in the family parlor at a very early age. At the age of 16 she began her professional musical career as a trombonist with the Pollyanna Syncapaters in 1926. The Pollyannas traveled from New York to Canada to California in their Studebaker, playing dance music in ballrooms and vaudeville theaters across the country. Velzoe was self taught and was able to play trombone, classical piano, flute, drums, tenor sax and keyboard. After working as a traveling musician through the Depression and beyond, Velzoe settled in Santa Cruz in 1961. In her home, surrounded by her gardens, she was an inspiration to everybody who knew her. Musicians came from all over the country to have the opportunity to visit and "jam" with her. Her multi-generation swing band, The Upbeats, performed throughout the Monterey Bay area at dances, eldercare facilities, concerts and private parties for many years. Here in Santa Cruz, on Sept 8th, 2002, Velzoe was awarded the first Annual Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Jazz Society of Santa Cruz County. This was just one of many prestigious honors bestowed on Velzoe over her many years. Velzoe is survived by her brother Bob Brown of San Luis Obispo, her nephew William King Judith and various nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Charles and Jay and her sister Ruth. A Celebration of Velzoe's Life will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to sign Velzoe's guest book and leave messages for her family. Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on May 10, 2011

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