About Nona Brown

Hailing from the vibrant and diverse San Francisco Bay Area, Nona Brown is a musical force whose smooth and unconventional sound has been hailed by her fans as “a breath of fresh air.” From the velvety tones of her voice to her piano playing, songwriting, and producing skills, Nona Brown’s musical imprint leaves an indelible mark on anyone who listens.

Nona embarked on her musical journey, recording her debut CD, “I’ll Sing My Song,” in 1997. However, it was in 2019 that she truly made waves, emerging with her sophomore release, “Songs from my Journal Volume 1.” The album soared to #14 and #21 on the Billboard Gospel chart in its first two weeks, solidifying her place in the gospel music scene.

Deeply rooted in gospel music, Nona’s talents have led her to collaborate with some of the industry’s finest, including working as the choir coordinator for Josh Groban’s Northern California tour and contributing as a guest vocalist and composer on three national recordings of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. She even graced the stage at Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball and was a cherished member of gospel music legend, the late Edwin Hawkins and the New Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Following the success of “Songs from my Journal Volume 1,” Nona  released “Songs from my Journal Volume 2” in 2022. The project showcased the exceptional vocalists and musicians of the Bay Area, performing songs penned by Nona herself.

The year 2023 was a whirlwind for Nona, marked by new music releases and an inspiring documentary film. Her single “It Takes a Miracle,” co-written with Cindy Paulos, was released on October 1st, dedicated to breast cancer survivors. As a survivor herself, Nona’s journey was beautifully captured in the documentary film “It Takes a Miracle (Sound of Survivors),” released in October. This powerful film weaves together the stories of four women who share the common threads of music, resilience, breast cancer, and survivorship, delivering a message of hope and strength.

The release of her second single, “Born A King,” features a beautiful duet with her daughter, Sammie “Honey” Brown.

Nona’s amazing music career includes international performances at prestigious festivals like the Umbria Jazz Festival, Porretta Soul Festival, and Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival. She has also lent her talents as an arranger and background vocalist to the 2022 GRAMMY Award-winning Best Children’s Album, “Falu: A Colorful World,” and earned a 2022 Telly Award for her co-written “Black Lives Matter” music video with Tony Saunders.

As an active and dedicated member of the music community, Nona has held prominent roles, including serving as a Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board Governor, Vice President, and Black Music Collective (BMC) Ambassador. Her groundbreaking achievement as the first black woman to be elected President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy is a testament to her leadership and commitment.

Nona Brown is not just a name to remember; she is a life to be inspired by. Her music, resilience, and dedication to uplifting others through her art make her an enduring presence in the world of music and a beacon of hope for all who have the privilege of experiencing her work.

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