US singer, songwriter Oscar Brown dies

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

CHICAGO (AFP) — US singer, songwriter and playwright Oscar Brown Jr., well known for his lively jazz compositions, reportedly died Sunday in Chicago following a short illness.

The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, citing Brown's family, reported the musician was 78.

Brown was known for his compositions "The Snake," "Signifyin' Monkey" and his lyrics for Miles Davis' "All Blues," the Sun-Times said.

Early in his career, Brown shared the bill with jazz icons such as Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane.

Brown was active in the US civil rights movement in the 1960s, he also mounted an unsuccessful run for local political office and the US Congress.

© 2005 AFP