00:00 Introductions; Demonstration “All My Life.” 05:51 Brown discusses family from Louisiana, and his song “New Orleans Blues.” Begins Demonstration; Toussaint points out that song was played in F-sharp. 10:13 Charles Brown discusses his grandmother in Texas City, Texas, who wanted him to be a school teacher. When he was around ten, he began taking piano classes in Galveston, Texas; Discusses background in college, where he studied chemistry and mathematics, minored in education. Took just one advanced piano class. 12:20 Talks about admiration of recording artists like Bessie Smith. Works as a teacher, and then as a chemist, doing mustard gas sampling. Volunteered to go into the army, but is disqualified because he has asthma. Decides to go to Berkeley, California and become a musician. Ran an elevator at a department store in California. Performs at an amateur show to win $25. 16:30 Demonstration of the song Brown played at the amateur show. 17:25 Demonstration of Debussey, “Claire de Lune,” which he also played at the amateur show. 18:27 Johnny Moore, leader of the Three Blazers, hears Brown at competition and tries to find him. Invites him to play with the trio. 19:36 Demonstration, “Embraceable You.” 20:39 Discusses audition for William Morris Agency, gives demonstration of piano styles played at audition. Classical music and “Drifting Blues.” 22:24 Discusses guitar technique, piano technique, and Brown’s influence on Ray Charles. Taking Ray Charles on tour, and working with Billy Shaw Agency; Touring with The Clovers, Billy Ward and his Dominos, Jackie Wilson. Discusses seeing Ruth Brown at the Apollo Theater in New York; Touring with Ruth Brown and Johnny Ace. 26:31 Brown discusses recording “Drifting Blues” on vinyl records. 27:35 Demonstration “Mary Christmas Baby” 31:30 Interview ends
