It’s Super Bowl Sunday and a one-nighter for San Francisco based jazz singer Linda Kosut at the Metropolitan Room. Said she: "when I planned this, I didn’t realize what day it was."  While the Giants won the 42^nd Super Bowl, Linda Kosut enthralled her small, but enthusiastic, audience with her Tribute to Oscar Brown, Jr.

Originally from the Bronx, Linda became passionately involved with Brown’s powerful message about the Black experience of the 60s, so much so that she felt compelled to bring this artistic interpreter’s music, poetry and playwrighting to audiences around the country.

She swings, she’s bluesy, dramatic and playful paying homage to Brown’s thought- provoking material. Bringing her own subtlety and emotion to the stage, her set opened with Max Perkoff’s arrangement of  “Long As You’re Living“ and segued into “Brother, Where Are You? “ (music: Oscar Brown,Jr. & Norman Curtis ) moving into “Column of Birds.“  Next up was "Mister Kicks," a kicky, swingy tune—she’s on a manhunt for kicks.  A highlight was her rendition of "Dat Dere" (music: Bobby Timmons), written by Oscar’s then 6 year old son. Sung in little girl voice Linda asked ". . . can I have dat big elepant over there."

Much of Oscar Brown Jr.’s  works are a commentary and reflection on the hardships, poverty and sadness of the Afro-American.  Songs like "Dime Away From a Hotdog" ("2 bucks away from a bed, nobody comes thru in a clutch"), "Bid ‘Em In" (sung a capella about a slave auction) and "Hymn to the Homeless" from his musical Great Nitty Gritty reflecting the terrible eyesore of poverty "who do you blame for those who become lost cargo, scavenging to eat refuse."

"The Snake," (an undulating tribute to agents everywhere ) sighs "take me in tender woman…the snake gave her a bite instead of saying thanks. You knew I was a reptile before you took me in" (a knowing laugh was had by all). A favorite is "Hazel’s Hips" "a concert of contours and curves; her hips bring the tips." "Round About Midnight" (music: Thelonius Monk, new lyrics: Oscar Brown,Jr.) envelops the poetry of "This Beach" in recitation; "the carnage never stops, nobody leaves this beach alive."

Since Brown could neither read nor write music, he worked with people such as Norman Curtis, (who transcribed over 150 of Brown’s songs) and who Kosut found via Google living here on New York’s Westside.  A special treat when he played "Summer in the City" which he wrote with Brown.

Linda Kosut was accompanied by Sheldon Forrest- piano, Tom Hubbard- bass and Scott Latzky- percussion

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
February 3, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org