Cleo Brown On Piano Jazz

Published April 13, 2018 at 12:08 PM EDT

Cleo Brown on the cover of <em>Here Comes Cleo</em>.

Pianist and vocalist Cleo Brown (1909 – 1995) was one of the early innovators of the boogie-woogie style and the first female instrumentalist to be named an NEA Jazz Master. She retired from performing in the 1950s and focused her attention on religious music, bringing her gifted voice and strong left hand to gospel tunes.

On this Piano Jazzfrom 1985, Brown makes a rare appearance to perform her greatest hit, "Pinetop's Boogie-Woogie," and to recall the style's heyday in the 1930s. She delights host Marian McPartland with a duet version of "A Closer Walk with Thee."

Originally broadcast in the spring of 1985.

SET LIST

"(Lookie Lookie Lookie) Here Comes Cookie" (Gordon)

"That Fat Gal's Blue" (Brown)

"Pinetop's Boogie-Woogie" (Smith)

"Come Sunday" (Ellington)

"This is My Day" (Brown)

"A Closer Walk with Thee" (Traditional)

"You're a Heavenly Thing" (Little, Young)

"I'm So Glad, Dear Jesus, that You're In Love with Me" (Brown)

"Silent Night" (Traditional)

"When the Saints Go Marching In" (Traditional)