For the first time, the Mississippi Blues Trail has crossed into Canadian territory, honoring one of the genre’s most influential guitarists: Jackson-born Mel Brown. The commemorative marker was unveiled Aug. 9 during the 25th annual Kitchener Blues Festival in Ontario, where Brown spent a significant part of his career and later died.
Installed beside an already existing bronze statue of Brown on Queen Street South in downtown Kitchener, the marker highlights his deep musical roots in Mississippi and his transformative impact on the Canadian blues scene. It becomes the 219th official stop on the internationally recognized Mississippi Blues Trail, which celebrates artists who shaped the sound and spirit of the blues worldwide.
“Mel Brown’s journey from Mississippi to Kitchener, Ontario, is a testament to the universal power of blues music,” Visit Mississippi executive director Rochelle Hicks said. “His impact on the local music scene in Kitchener helped spark a cultural renaissance and inspired generations of musicians. We are honored to recognize his legacy with this historic marker.”
Born in 1939, Brown rose to prominence as a guitarist for Sonny Boy Williamson before touring and recording with blues and R&B legends including B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Johnny Otis, and T-Bone Walker.
His arrival in Kitchener in 1989 marked a turning point for the city’s music culture. Performing regularly at the celebrated Pop The Gator club, Brown not only delivered electrifying performances but also mentored a new generation of blues artists.
The unveiling event drew an audience of music lovers, civic leaders, and visitors from both sides of the border. Brown’s widow, Lillie “Miss Angel” Brown, shared personal memories of her husband’s passion for music and community, adding an intimate note to the celebration.
The marker serves as both a tribute to Brown’s artistry and a symbol of the enduring cultural bond between Mississippi and Canada. For Mississippi, it reinforces its proud heritage as “The Birthplace of America’s Music” – a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate across the globe.
