Singer and entertainer Gina Brown passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Touro Hospital.

Gina Brown grew up in Mobile, Alabama and attended CF Vigor High School in Prichard, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile. Her love for music began in high school and Brown attributed her career to her formative years at CF Vigor.

Brown first started her music journey as a radio announcer for WBLX-AM/FM in Mobile, where she started singing commercial jingles. From there her career as a vocalist began: Brown was a vocalist at wedding ceremonies, underground jazz clubs, festivals, hotels and on international tours. After moving to New Orleans 14 years ago, Gina Brown began singing with jazz violinist Michael Ward, and put together her own band, Anutha Level.

Gina Brown photo from Gina Brown Facebook

Anutha Level and Gina Brown performed for social aid and pleasure club parades, at Essence Festival, French Quarter Festival, the Creole Tomato Festival, the Jazz & Heritage Festival and was the face and voice of Louisiana Lottery commercials. Brown was also the host of “G’s Corner,” a weekly radio show that spotlighted New Orleans musicians, for local community station 102.3 WHIV-FM.

When asked by OffBeat’s Bill Forman what event was the most unusual, Brown response: “If I had to pick just one, it would probably be the Louisiana Lottery, because I was just going in to sing the jingle part of it. But I was having so much fun recording it that the producer was like, ‘We should get her to do this live in the studio and use it in part of the commercial.’ And then I ended up being the whole commercial, which was the most exciting part, because they’d never done that before.”

Brown was a big supporter of local music which prompted her to host a radio show spotlighting local musicians. When asked in the OffBeat interview who were some of the guests, Brown talked about not only her guests but radio station WHIV. “Oh God, Irma Thomas, Erica Falls, Teresa B, Sam Price… so many people. My volunteering with WHIV came from my friendship with [station founder] Dr. MarkAlain Dery; he was my ex-husband’s doctor when he had meningitis. One of the reasons for being part of an independent station is that I’d worked for 22 years in corporate radio. But even when I was selling commercials and doing voice-overs for Clear Channel, their stations still never played my music on the air. So, I figured if I had my own show, then I could play all the people who go through the same thing that I went through. Even though we’re a low-power station [WHIV], it still gives them the opportunity to be heard and have their music played on the air.”

Gina Brown. Photo by Gus Bennett

Brown with her band, Anutha Level, was an accomplished band leader, entertainer, DJ, and entrepreneur. She billed herself as “New Orleans’ Own Soul Diva.” Her performances embraced several musical styles including blues, jazz, Motown, hip-hop and funk. Over the course of her career, she performed with many musicians including Gerald Levert, Patti Austin, Earl Turner and Fantasia. With Anutha Level Brown traveled to Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi and many other places. Brown has released several albums and was best known for her song G-Slide.

Tributes from social media include the following:

“I can’t believe Gina Brown is gone. I am devastated. New Orleans lost a true gem and pillar.”
—Joy Clark

“The fact that Gina brown slipped away from us just shook the whole New Orleans music scene.”
—L. Youngblood

“Man what a loss! Rest well.”
—LBJ, WGNO

“I thank God for the time we had—you blessed so many people with your beautiful spirit! RIP Gina Brown, my forever friend and singing partner! Missing you already!”
—State Representative, Rodney Lyons

“I am heartbroken to learn we’ve lost an amazingly talented woman. Gina Brown used her God-given talents to sing, entertain and uplift us. I was honored to have her at my ‘Winning Women Wednesday’ event last fall. She will be missed.”
—Councilwoman, Jennifer Van Vranken

“Gina Brown made an everlasting impact on LA-02 [Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District] and countless people with her incredible talent. Her music will continue to inspire us and serve as a memorial to her life and passion.”
—Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.

Brown is survived by a host of family members, including her daughter, Tyler Pettigrew.

Funeral arrangements had not been made at press time, but there will be a local tribute to be announced.