Mary Byrd Brown onstage at House in the Woods concert series, Adamstown MD Photo by Ilene White |
Energetic and passionate performance artist; "soaring voice...with warmth and delicate phrasing...delivery as inventive as Joni Mitchell." Visit MP3.com/MaryByrdBrown to hear MP3 tracks from Mary's most recent CD, Live at: House in the Woods (2000) along with selected out-of-print tracks from her catalog: First Gear, (1996) and soon-to-be uploaded, Resilient (1994). |
Maryland performing songwriter Mary Byrd Brown is critically acclaimed for her energetic and passionate performance art, and in particular for her distinctive rich vocals and her unique delivery that simultaneously invoke Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell. From compelling grooves to spellbinding ballads, Mary draws from inspirations as diverse as jazzy torch songs and playful satire; "she glides gingerly between soulful, moody, minor-key moments and upbeat crescendos and everything in between." (Nicholson House Concerts). "A smooth guitar style, memorable voice, unique delivery, and terrific songs." (Country Roads Folk Festival)
Her impressive career spans nearly two decades and credits include five albums, significant radio airplay, and shared stages with many folk and Americana luminaries such as Richie Havens, Tom Paxton and Loudon Wainwright III. Her latest recording, Live at House in the Woods, showcases her prodigious range of styles and topics; from the breathy reflections on life's last moments ("Whispers") or the universality of childhood imaginings ("Liberty") to a sass-filled blues about falling for losers ("Dark Side").
Though well-established as a solo artist in folk music circles, her myriad interests are reflected in her signature style: "a slippery shuffle between folk, rock, blues, country and jazz." Her experimental folk-jazz fusion collaboration with top-rate jazz musicians like guitarist Rob Levit was highly regarded by Mid-Atlantic concert and festival presenters. In addition to renowned concert halls, clubs and festivals, Mary's performance resume also includes a variety of venues, ranging from coffeehouses and college campuses to seminars and house concerts. She tours nationally, energizing enthusiastic audiences - town by town, city by city, state by state.
"It's Brown's ability to connect with a live audience that has built her a wide following that cuts across regional boundaries and musical genres." (Nicholson House Concerts). In 1999, the readers of Music Monthly acknowledged that connection by voting Mary Best of Genre in Folk. Whether on a big festival stage or at an intimate spiritual celebration, Mary's performance leads through an emotional journey across the landscape of human experience and shares her refreshing perspective on life's vital challenges.
Mary comes from a rich American ancestry, tracing her family ties to Accomack County, Virginia in 1664. Her mother is a guide at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg and her father is a guide at the Jamestown Archeological excavation and is currently authoring a book on the first 32 days of the Jamestown settlement in 1607.
For booking inquiries, email Mary Byrd Brown Productions at byrdbrown@juno.com.
"Boasts a terrific soprano, powerful...emotionally transparent."
-Geoffrey Himes
"Mary Byrd Brown is a vocal photographer. Her songs are candid snapshots of the earth she explores and the people she meets. She’s not flighty or ethereal. Her sound is honest, like a good-natured, benevolent and more p.c. sister of Ani DiFranco."
- Fly Magazine, Harrisburg PA
"... a rising star on the music scene. There's a little bit of folk, an echo of Janis Ian, and a lot of easy-to-relate-to feelings in this young woman's work."
- Times Weekender
"She is a captivating singer whose inimitable and infectious style keeps audiences coming back for more and more."
-Shirlington Artists Guild
Mary Byrd Brown at play by the bay Photo by Mark Ingino, Sunny Isle Graphics |
"Mary Byrd Brown could be Ani Difranco stripped of her punk rock attitude and freneticism." -
"Her vignettes of love are sung passionately and the songs are sharply focused. Moody, minor-key moments mix with playful upbeat tunes." "a voice as strong as Judy Collins and a delivery as inventive as Joni Mitchell" |
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Career Highlights At A Glance
Select Concert Appearances |
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Discography |
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Mary Byrd Brown
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Loudon Wainwright III Tom Paxton The Kennedys Garnet Rogers Bill Morrissey Eric Bogle Catfish Hodge John Stewart Sonia (of Disappear Fear) and many other great acoustic performers! |