PRESS QUOTES: "Mary Byrd Brown is a vocal photographer. As a songwriter, Brown's clarity and originality are the lifeblood of her music. Her humble honesty adds depth to her art and is a refreshing change of pace from today's two-dimensional pop." - Fly Magazine "Mary Byrd Brown could be Ani Difranco stripped of her punk rock attitude and freneticim." - Tucson Weekly "...a rising star...a litte bit of folk, an echo of Janis Ian, and a lot of easy-to-relate to feelings in this young woman's work." - Times Weekender BIO: Maryland performing songwriter Mary Byrd Brown is critically acclaimed for her energetic and passionate performance art, and in particular for her distinctive rich vocals and her unique delivery that simultaneously invoke Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell. From compelling grooves to spellbinding ballads, Mary draws from inspirations as diverse as jazzy torch songs and playful satire; "she glides gingerly between soulful, moody, minor-key moments and upbeat crescendos and everything in between." (Nicholson House Concerts). "A smooth guitar style, memorable voice, unique delivery, and terrific songs." (Country Roads Folk Festival) The Maryland State Arts Council honored Mary's unique voice with a 2003 Individual Artist Award for Vocal Performance. Her impressive career spans nearly two decades and credits include five albums, significant radio airplay, and shared stages with many folk and Americana luminaries such as Richie Havens, Tom Paxton and Loudon Wainwright III. Her latest recording, "Live at House in the Woods", showcases her prodigious range of styles and topics; from the breathy reflections on life's last moments ("Whispers") or the universality of childhood imaginings ("Liberty") to a sass-filled blues about falling for losers ("Dark Side"). Though well-established as a solo artist in folk music circles, her myriad interests are reflected in her signature style: "a slippery shuffle between folk, rock, blues, country and jazz." Her experimental folk-jazz fusion collaboration with top-rate jazz musicians like guitarist Rob Levit was highly regarded by Mid-Atlantic concert and festival presenters. She also shared several national tours and recorded with Shenandoah VA performing songwriter, Andrew McKnight. In addition to renowned concert halls, clubs and festivals, Mary's performance resume also includes a variety of venues, ranging from coffeehouses and college campuses to seminars and house concerts. She tours nationally, energizing enthusiastic audiences - town by town, city by city, state by state. "It's Brown's ability to connect with a live audience that has built her a wide following that cuts across regional boundaries and musical genres." (Nicholson House Concerts). In 1999, the readers of Music Monthly acknowledged that connection by voting Mary Best of Genre in Folk. Whether on a big festival stage or at an intimate spiritual celebration, Mary's performance leads through an emotional journey across the landscape of human experience and shares her refreshing perspective on universal life challenges. Mary comes from a rich American ancestry, tracing her family ties to Accomack County, Virginia in 1664. Her mother is a guide at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg and her father is a guide at the Jamestown Archeological excavation and is currently authoring a book on the first 32 days of the Jamestown settlement in 1607. For booking inquiries, email Mary Byrd Brown Productions at byrdbrown@juno.com.