Ernest Brown

Ernest Douglas Brown, Jr.
1947-2012
Williamstown - Ernest Douglas Brown, Jr. of Williamstown, died April 3, 2012, after a 3-year struggle against cancer.
Born July 6, 1947, he was the son of the late Ernest Brown, Sr. and Alberta Coleman Brown of New Britain, Conn. During high school, Ernest's commitment to the outdoors and fitness led him to teach swimming at the local YMCA and to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Hiking became a significant part of his life; 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 swim enthusiast.
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 B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Visual Art. While at Harvard 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.
Art was a lifelong passion for Ernest and he continued studying photography, film, and video throughout his life. He won awards for photography in Seattle Urban League Annual Art Shows. From '78-'80 Ernest was the Director of the Neighborhood Arts Program of the Seattle Arts Commission, '81-'83 he was on the faculty at Cornish School for the Allied Arts, and was the Executive Director of City Art Works in Seattle.
Ernest and his family lived in Zambia from '73-'76 while he researched his dissertation, "Drums of Life: Royal Music and Social Life in Western Zambia". He earned his Ph.D. 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, Ernest 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.
In 1988 Williams College hired Ernest to be its first ethnomusicology professor; he specialized in music cultures of the world, histories of jazz, blues, and African-American music. He 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 Williams students and community members. It was his dream and privilege to teach authentic African music performance at Williams College. He retired from Williams in 2012 as a full professor. Next fall, Williams College will begin the annual Ernest Brown World Music Concert Series in his honor.
A lifelong activist, donor, and volunteer in support of progressive causes, Ernest 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. Ernest is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Susan Revotskie, their four children: Rafael Jabulani Zwanai Brown of Dallas, Nicholas Kalafya Brown of Bangkok, Maceo Nkrumah Brown of Chicago, and Naima Camille Brown of Manhattan, by his three sisters and brothers-in law: Gloria and James Owens of Aiken, S.C., Beverly Brown Healey and Bernie Healey of Mill Valley, Calif., Alberta Brown Buller and Dave Buller of Fairfax, CA, by his nieces and nephews: James Jr. and Jonathan Owens, Alexandria Brown, and Matthew, Melissa, and Daniel Chaison, and by his god-daughter Tristan Muriel and grand goddaughter Mia Lafrazia of Lanesboro.
He is predeceased by his god-daughter Norah Chinyama of Kaoma, Zambia.
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. In keeping with Ernest'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.
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