By Jon Chown
Nearly a year after her death, a community of musicians will gather on March 22 at the Coconut Grove to honor singer Tammi Brown at a benefit concert supporting the American Cancer Society.
Brown, a prolific local musical artist who sang for a variety of bands, died April 5, 2025, after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer, but she is still loved by many. Concert organizer Jay Saber said it will not be a memorial to Brown, as she didn’t want that, but it will celebrate her life. Artists will share stories of her and play some of her favorite songs.
“I don’t want to give up the set list, but some of her originals, and some great Gospel tunes,” said Saber. “She was a woman of God, very spiritual, and put a lot into Gospel. She was one of those authentic good people. She was amazing.”
Saber said that when he set about to have a fundraiser for cancer in her name, it was easy to find acts. Saber said Brown was a good friend to him and so many others. The lineup features an array of acclaimed artists, including jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan, organist Melvin Seals, violinist Mads Tolling, and singer-songwriter Anthony Arya. They will be joined by Dan Robbins, Mike Shannon, Dylan Rose, composer John Wineglass, Matt Hartle, Bryan Dyer, David Worm, and music executive Danny Goldberg, among others.
“Five of them called me and told me they had to be on this bill. They needed to play at this concert,” Saber said. “I produce hundreds of shows; I don’t get artists calling me saying that they want to play on a bill.”
Dan Robbins, who plays bass for several local bands, including Wasabi, Painted Mandolin, and Jive Machine, said Brown had an incredible voice but was an even more incredible person.
“Tammi was a force of nature,” he said. “The way she sang and carried a song, she just moved people. It could be a raucous bar, and she would start singing and everyone would be quiet.”
Robbins said it was kind of harrowing, as a bass player, to back her because her singing was very spiritual and free. Sometimes he would just hang on for the ride and watch her closely as she took flight.
“I always felt like playing music with her was a gift. She was a very spiritual person, and that resonated with people. She really sang from the heart in a really deep way,” he said.
Robbins said one of her last projects, “Lost American Jazz Book,” may have been her best. “That was incredible,” he said. “So soulful.”
Saber said Brown played just about every venue possible in Santa Cruz County and had a lot of impact on the community. She was named the 2024 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year and was the vocal instructor at the Music School, as well as founder and director of the Santa Cruz Gospel Choir. She performed for many benefits, including the annual Prostate Cancer Benefit, the NAACP Gospel Night, The Youth Resource Bank, Red Cross’s Heroes Breakfast, as well as several benefits presented by the Resource Center for Non-Violence.
“I would call her up and ask her to perform, and she never said ’no’ if she was available,” Saber said. “She was the most amazing person. She had a stage presence and had such musical ability with her voice that put her on stages all over the world.”
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Tickets and details are available at www.thewheelcompany.com.