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 Ernest D. Brown Jr., 64
 April 03, 2012
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Ernest Douglas Brown Jr., 64, of Williamstown died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, after a three-year struggle against cancer.
Born in New Britain, Conn., on July 6, 1947, son of Ernest D. Brown Sr. and Alberta Coleman Brown, his commitment to the outdoors and fitness led him to teach swimming at the local YMCA during high school and to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Despite the challenges of growing up the son of African-American factory workers in a segregated housing project during the Civil Rights era, Ernest won a National Merit Scholarship and graduated from Harvard University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a minor in visual art.
Mr. Brown and his family lived in Zambia from 1973-76 while he researched his dissertation, "Drums of Life: Royal Music and Social Life in Western Zambia." He earned his doctorate in musicology from the University of Washington in 1984 and began his career as a professor in the music and African-American Studies departments of Northeastern University. In 1986, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research music in Zimbabwe. In addition to his work in Africa, he researched and wrote about music cultures across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.
He was hired in 1988 by Williams College to be its first ethnomusicology professor, specializing in music cultures of the world, histories of jazz, blues, and African-American music. Mr. Brown also taught courses for Williams students in Cuba and Ghana. At Williams, he founded and directed the Zambezi Marimba Band (1991-2012) and in 1990 co-founded and co-directed Kusika ("to create" in Shona), an African music and dance ensemble for students and community members. It was his dream and privilege to teach authentic African music performance at Williams. He retired this year as a full professor. Next fall, Williams will begin the annual Ernest Brown World Music Concert Series in his honor.
Art was his passion and he continued studying photography, film, and video throughout his life. He won awards for photography in Seattle Urban League annual art shows. He was the director of the Neighborhood Arts Program of the Seattle Arts Commission from 1978-80, was on the faculty at Cornish School for the Allied Arts from 1981-83, and was executive director of City Art Works in Seattle.
Hiking became a significant part of his life and he loved photographing the natural beauty of the Berkshires. He was also an dedicated member of both the Williamstown and North Adams Regional Hospital recreational volleyball teams and lifelong swimming enthusiast.
A lifelong activist, donor and volunteer in support of progressive causes, Mr. Brown believed in the power of collective action to advance social and economic justice. He was involved with the anti-apartheid struggle and campaign to free Nelson Mandela, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Wellstone Action, Clean Water Action, the Barack Obama campaign, and others. During the Vietnam War, he applied for conscientious objector status and volunteered with the National Black Anti-War Anti-Draft Union.
His family remembers him as a devoted, caring husband, father, brother and uncle.
It was while at Harvard that he met his future wife and the love of his life, Susan Revotskie, when they both cross-registered from their colleges into a color theory class at MIT.
Besides his wife of 42 years, he leaves four children, Rafael Jabulani Zwanai Brown of Dallas, Nicholas Kalafya Brown of Bangkok, Maceo Nkrumah Brown of Chicago and Naima Camille Brown of Manhattan, N.Y.; three sisters and brothers-in law, Gloria and James Owens of Aiken, S.C., Beverly Brown Healey and Bernie Healey of Mill Valley, Calif., and Alberta Brown Buller and Dave Buller of Fairfax, Calif.; nieces and nephews James Owens Jr. and Jonathan Owens, Alexandria Brown and Matthew, Melissa and Daniel Chaison; his god-daughter, Tristan Muriel, and grand-god-daughter Mia Lafrazia of Lanesborough.
He is predeceased by his god-daughter Norah Chinyama, late of Kaoma, Zambia.
FUNERAL NOTICE — In keeping with Mr. Brown's wishes, a celebration of his life will be held during the spring concert of his ensembles, Kusika and the Zambezi Marimba Band, at the Williams College '62 Center for Theater and Dance on Saturday, May 5, at 8 p.m. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Feeding America in care of Flynn & Dagnoli Home for Funerals, 521 W Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.
| I knew him as Ernie Brown when we were both grad students in Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington. To learn just today that he had passed away is heart-breaking. Ernie was a fine man and a terrific intellect. Such sorrow to hear about this. | | from: Michael Coolen | on: 05-28-2012 |
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| Who knew this incedible man lived in my town? It looks as though his life was truly well lived. God Bless. | | from: John Frit | on: 04-10-2012 |
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