Obituary of Dr. Frank W. Brown

Dr. Frank W. Brown passed away on January 14, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was 96 years old. His son Joel was at his side, where he had been for many days as Frank lingered in a deep sleep. Joel played recorded music that Frank had performed in his past and the sound that lulled him to sleep as a child… the cascading water of Chequaga Falls. Frank Brown was a beloved member of his community; music teacher and performer, husband and father. He will always be remembered for his kindness, thoughtfulness and talent.   Frank was born June 30, 1926 in Montour Falls, NY. His elementary school music teacher noticed his fine ear for melodies which prompted his mother to cash in an insurance policy to buy him a clarinet. He learned to play jazz by ear and soon played local gigs with older musicians. At age seventeen, Frank enlisted in the United States Air Force. There, he played clarinet and alto sax in the 448th Air Force concert and jazz bands. In 1951 he graduated from Ithaca College as a music major and that same year, married fellow music major, Eleanor Ruth Russell. They had four children: Linn, Darron, Joel and Benjamin.    Dr. Brown was the band director at Odessa-Montour Central School in Odessa, NY for over thirty years. During that time, he earned a Master’s degree from Ithaca College and a Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Illinois. After retiring from OMCS, he went on to teach music in Florida, including at the Sarasota Military Academy and the Lab High School at Florida State University.   As well as being a gifted music educator, Frank was an active performer who appeared with many illustrious jazz ensembles. He played with Reggie’s Red Hot Feet Warmers, Jay and Molly Unger, Medicare 7, 8 or 9, and The Dukes of Dixieland, and Eddie Moore and His Orchestra to name a few. In Tallahassee, he formed the Frank Brown Big Band, leading the group in the music of his era. His son, Joel, a member of Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play, was instrumental in Frank’s opportunity to play with them at Carnegie Hall with soprano, Dawn Upshaw. Frank and Triple Play reunited for a concert with Dave Brubeck at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.   As a recording artist, Frank’s discography includes Frank Brown Turned Loose, Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play Live at the Arthur Zankel Music Center featuring Dave Brubeck and Frank Brown, Frederika Von Strada’s Across your Dreams, Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play Watching the World, Joel Brown’s Places and Christmas Cedar and Spruce, and Reggie’s Red Hot Feet Warmers Happy Feet.   He is predeceased by his wife, Elly, and their youngest son, Ben. He is survived by his daughter, Linn Brown and husband, Dr. Richard Fredekind of Oakland, CA; his son, Dr. Darron Brown of Indianapolis, IN; Myrene Brown of Zionsville IN; his son, Joel Brown and wife, Peggy, of Saratoga Springs, NY; his grandson, Jason Brown and family; his granddaughter, Caitlin West and family; his grandson Andrew Brown and family; his granddaughter, Dr. Calla Brown and family; his grandson, Dr. Frank Brown Cloud and family; his grandson Marshall Brown; his daughter-in-law, Claudia Bustamante; his granddaughter, Jamie Brown; and his granddaughter, Jenny Baxter and family. Frank was also the proud great-grandfather of eight.   The family would like to thank Eleanor Lattin, Cindy Ciaschi, Robert Moore, and several other wonderful helpers in Watkins Glen, NY. The family would also like to thank the wonderful, loving staff and Hospice workers on 2 Hathorn, at the Wesley Health Center in Saratoga Springs.    There are no services planned at this time. For a full bio and links to recordings featuring Frank Brown, please visit: linnbrownmusic.com/frank-brown