BROWN

A streak of sweat ran down her face, pausing on her chin. She was in her full element.

Kathy Brown, pianist, composer and singer, showed her mettle as she backed for internationally acclaimed vocalist A.J. Brown. This in mid-November at a noontime concert in downtown Kingston.

The songstress has also shared stage with the likes of Freddie McGregor, Pam Hall, Ernie Ranglin and Tarrus Riley, among others. The beautiful songbird said she conceptualised the idea of forming a band in 2002, giving birth to Kathy Brown and Friends.

Last year, the always-smiling Brown released her first album titled Mission: A Musical Journey.

"I want to do more albums, go on more overseas tours and become an international act," Brown told The Gleaner. "Even get nominated for a Grammy award," she chuckled.

Aside from her music career, Brown also spends time saving lives, as she is a medical doctor.

One would be left to wonder how she finds the time to balance two time-consuming careers.

"I work part-time as a doctor at a private practice in Kingston during the day. I do all my band work in the evening," Said Brown. "I also have very understanding colleagues on both sides of the fence which has enabled me to perform both task effectively."

Brown continues to grow from strength to strength, as she has graced the big stages, having performed at the premier jazz show in Jamaica, the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, and has seemingly become a permanent fixture on the event.

"Well, I have been featured on the show (Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues) every year since 2004. On top of that, I also perform at Christopher's Café at The Quad, Ocho Rios Jazz and Blues Fest, trust me, I am all over," she proudly declared.

So deep is her love for music, Brown is willing to give up her doctoral profession if she gets the right break on her musical journey.

"Music for me is life, it's as natural as breathing. Music is the essence of who I am," said the beautiful bachelorette. "At this point though, I am balancing both and they are both going well, I mean, I love both and I am getting to do both, it's all good."

Although the love for the music is there, Brown was adamant in pointing out that there is always some challenges that will come with it. These challenges are used as a driving force to build a solid foundation on which she stands. "The challenges are huge, transportation and accommodation cost, making contacts, it's very expensive, especially now that everyone operates by the cellular route," Brown pointed out.

In addition to that, another challenge is to keep a certain level of chemistry within the band, especially owing to the fact that the same persons are not used all the time. This she said is a little easier, although she wonders about it at times. "I oftentimes wonder how I do it, I have a natural vibe and flow, I teach persons to play based on how I want it done," she said.

Brown has also performed on Reggae Sumfest, Unity Splash and Ritchie Stephens' Take Me Away show, and has toured with To-Isis overseas.

She also works as an assistant trainer with the East Queen Street Baptist and Nexus Performing Arts choirs and arranger with the highly acclaimed University Singers.

Brown's next performance, will be at Redbones the Blues Café, where she will provide backup for Marie-Claire, a jazz musician from Dominica, and is also billed for the Jazz & Blues Festival.