Brownie Speaks is a must see. He said so much musically in a short life time. Amazing! —Jimmy Heath
Brownie Speaks: A Video Documentary about jazz legend Clifford Brown will be screened at the Monterey Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 5:30 PM. The event, which will include a Q&A with producer/director Don Glanden, will take place at the Jazz Theater. The film has received rave reviews and numerous accolades in the jazz community since its release in August 2014. Sonny Rollins has called it “a great film about a great man!” Jazz Journal’s Bob Weir praised it as “the best video biography of a leading jazz musician I have seen.”
About the Film
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown made an outstanding and influential contribution to music. In an era when many musicians were emulating Charlie Parker's drug abuse, Brown inspired others to achieve greatness while living a clean lifestyle. Ironically, he was killed in a car accident at the age of 25. Brownie Speaks is the culmination of years of research by Wilmington-born jazz pianist Don Glanden, research that has included interviews with Brown's friends, family, contemporaries, and admirers. Glanden's son Brad edited Brownie Speaks using these interviews, along with archival materials and newly shot video footage. The resulting feature-length documentary presents a richly detailed account of Brown's life, and examines his historical importance in the context of three criteria—innovation, influence, and individuality.
Past Screenings
The University of the Arts, Brownie Speaks Symposium (Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia Jazz Fair (Philadelphia, PA)
New England Conservatory (Boston, MA)
Jazz Night in Southwest (Washington, DC)
Thelonious Monk Institute (Los Angeles, CA)
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music (Los Angeles, CA)
University of North Texas (Denton, TX)
International Jazz Day 2015 (Paris, France)
Jane Pickens Theater/Eve of Newport Jazz Festival (Newport, RI)
Delaware Historical Society (Wilmington, DE)
University of Denver, Lamont School of Music (Denver, CO)
Boysie Lowerey Living Jazz Residency (Wilmington, DE)
Ursinus College: UArts Jazz Education Symposium (Collegeville, PA)
San Jose Summer Fest (San Jose, CA)
Press Quotes/Feedback
“I did see Brownie Speaks and I thought it was wonderful. It’s really great. Very, very touching, very moving...a terrific job. I just wish it could have wide, wide distribution...a great film about a great man! Thanks for making it...really, really wonderful."—Sonny Rollins
“Brownie Speaks is a must see. He said so much musically in a short life time. Amazing!" —Jimmy Heath
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Very proud of the job you all did. Long time coming but an amazing view of my Dad’s life & music. "—Clifford Brown, Jr.
“This thoroughly researched and fascinating documentary about legendary jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown reveals the full scope of the man and his music through extensive interviews, recordings, photos, and both new and archival film and video footage... The heartfelt sincerity of Brownie Speaks along with its devotion to historical accuracy and detail earn it a five-star rating and a secure place as an important telling of jazz history... A ground-breaking documentary."—Victor L. Schermer, All About Jazz
“It is the best video biography of a leading jazz musician I have seen and essential for Brownie’s many admirers and others who want to know more about him."—Bob Weir, Jazz Journal
“The first time I watched Brownie Speaks, it brought me to tears! I was so moved and amazed at the amount of primary source information. Director Don Glanden presents us with a touching and fulfilling 85 minutes of pure magic!"—Bobby Rodriguez, LA Jazz Scene
“This glorious, loving portrait of Clifford Brown immediately becomes one of the most important historic documents of jazz to grace our consciousness. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh and you’ll love this beautifully crafted tribute to a jazz genius. Clifford Brown lives and now, finally, that life is portrayed with limitless love and passion."—George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
“This documentary is an outstanding contribution to the historical record as it relates to Clifford Brown. Glanden is able to show the unbroken thread of Brown’s development from talented student to local prodigy to legend. Perhaps the most moving part of this film is the portion that details Brown’s tragic death and the very real pain that his loss caused his friends, family, and community. Brownie Speaks is a must for any serious jazz fans or fans of Clifford Brown and his music."—Jason Crafton, International Trumpet Guild Journal
“A very fine film and it really serves a great need in the jazz community! There are unique interviews with friends and family, as well as the late Harold Land, Herb Geller, and many others. And the 28-page booklet is a treasure trove of new information. "—Lewis Porter
“I loved it! I learned more about Clifford watching your film then all the years working at Verve...Looking at the accident images was chilling...and very emotional. I've always felt that losing Clifford at such an early age was one of the biggest losses in the jazz world. "—Donna Ranieri
About the Film
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown made an outstanding and influential contribution to music. In an era when many musicians were emulating Charlie Parker's drug abuse, Brown inspired others to achieve greatness while living a clean lifestyle. Ironically, he was killed in a car accident at the age of 25. Brownie Speaks is the culmination of years of research by Wilmington-born jazz pianist Don Glanden, research that has included interviews with Brown's friends, family, contemporaries, and admirers. Glanden's son Brad edited Brownie Speaks using these interviews, along with archival materials and newly shot video footage. The resulting feature-length documentary presents a richly detailed account of Brown's life, and examines his historical importance in the context of three criteria—innovation, influence, and individuality.
Past Screenings
The University of the Arts, Brownie Speaks Symposium (Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia Jazz Fair (Philadelphia, PA)
New England Conservatory (Boston, MA)
Jazz Night in Southwest (Washington, DC)
Thelonious Monk Institute (Los Angeles, CA)
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music (Los Angeles, CA)
University of North Texas (Denton, TX)
International Jazz Day 2015 (Paris, France)
Jane Pickens Theater/Eve of Newport Jazz Festival (Newport, RI)
Delaware Historical Society (Wilmington, DE)
University of Denver, Lamont School of Music (Denver, CO)
Boysie Lowerey Living Jazz Residency (Wilmington, DE)
Ursinus College: UArts Jazz Education Symposium (Collegeville, PA)
San Jose Summer Fest (San Jose, CA)
Press Quotes/Feedback
“I did see Brownie Speaks and I thought it was wonderful. It’s really great. Very, very touching, very moving...a terrific job. I just wish it could have wide, wide distribution...a great film about a great man! Thanks for making it...really, really wonderful."—Sonny Rollins
“Brownie Speaks is a must see. He said so much musically in a short life time. Amazing!" —Jimmy Heath
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Very proud of the job you all did. Long time coming but an amazing view of my Dad’s life & music. "—Clifford Brown, Jr.
“This thoroughly researched and fascinating documentary about legendary jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown reveals the full scope of the man and his music through extensive interviews, recordings, photos, and both new and archival film and video footage... The heartfelt sincerity of Brownie Speaks along with its devotion to historical accuracy and detail earn it a five-star rating and a secure place as an important telling of jazz history... A ground-breaking documentary."—Victor L. Schermer, All About Jazz
“It is the best video biography of a leading jazz musician I have seen and essential for Brownie’s many admirers and others who want to know more about him."—Bob Weir, Jazz Journal
“The first time I watched Brownie Speaks, it brought me to tears! I was so moved and amazed at the amount of primary source information. Director Don Glanden presents us with a touching and fulfilling 85 minutes of pure magic!"—Bobby Rodriguez, LA Jazz Scene
“This glorious, loving portrait of Clifford Brown immediately becomes one of the most important historic documents of jazz to grace our consciousness. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh and you’ll love this beautifully crafted tribute to a jazz genius. Clifford Brown lives and now, finally, that life is portrayed with limitless love and passion."—George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
“This documentary is an outstanding contribution to the historical record as it relates to Clifford Brown. Glanden is able to show the unbroken thread of Brown’s development from talented student to local prodigy to legend. Perhaps the most moving part of this film is the portion that details Brown’s tragic death and the very real pain that his loss caused his friends, family, and community. Brownie Speaks is a must for any serious jazz fans or fans of Clifford Brown and his music."—Jason Crafton, International Trumpet Guild Journal
“A very fine film and it really serves a great need in the jazz community! There are unique interviews with friends and family, as well as the late Harold Land, Herb Geller, and many others. And the 28-page booklet is a treasure trove of new information. "—Lewis Porter
“I loved it! I learned more about Clifford watching your film then all the years working at Verve...Looking at the accident images was chilling...and very emotional. I've always felt that losing Clifford at such an early age was one of the biggest losses in the jazz world. "—Donna Ranieri
