Ellsworth Brown, Pianist, Saxophonist, Theorist and Composer.

After World War II, Merchant Marine radio officer Ellsworth Brown layed down his morse code key and began his career as a musician in Los Angeles. His talent brought him to bandstands across the country, performing with Cab Calloway, Oscar Dennard, Roy Eldridge and countless others in a career spanning 4 decades. In 1948 he met fellow musician Mary Alice Thompson and they began a young family in Des Moines. While there, he was one musician who energized the local DM Jazz scene.The impact of Ellsworth Brown and his music on the local scene will be covered here by his son and former Des Moines Register reporter Dartanyan Brown. Enjoy.