On Thursday, October 23, 2008, a long overdue plaque honoring the great trumpet player Clifford Brown was dedicated on Philadelphia's fabled “Walk of Fame," a series of “stars” laid in the pavement on either side of South Broad Street (the Avenue of the Arts), surrounded by the Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center, the Merriam Theater, the Levitt Auditorium, and the University of the Arts. Five plaques were dedicated in all, including those for Brown, R&B legend Billy Paul ("Me & Mrs. Jones"), Motown singer Tammi Terrell ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough"), pioneering teen idol Dee Dee Sharp ("Mashed Potato Time"), and rock innovator Charlie Gracie ("Butterfly").
Innovated two decades ago under the aegis of musical entrepreneurs Joseph Tarsia, Kenny Gamble, and others, the Walk of Fame, a project of the Philadelphia Music Alliance, honors Philadelphia musicians of all genres who have “made a difference” in the musical life of the city and the world. It is a pleasure to stroll along the Avenue and take note of these individuals. Many musical memories will return for almost any Philadelphian or tourist. The “Walk” is a genuine attraction of the city.
The presence of Clifford Brown in this pantheon is long overdue. The delay can be explained by Clifford’s brief career (he died at age 26 in a car accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with pianist Richie Powell and the latter’s wife), and by his tenure in two cities: his home town of Wilimington, and his coming up as a fabled jazz musician in Philadelphia, strongly influenced by Fats Navarro’s inspiring presence there. This dedication rectified an absence that was obvious to any Clifford Brown fan in the region. Behind the scenes advocacy by University of the Arts music professors Don Glanden, Marc Dicciani, and Rick Lawn led to Brown’s nomination and acceptance by the Board of the Walk of Fame. Glanden has just completed a documentary of Clifford’s life which will be screened at the symposium, “Brownie Speaks” to be held on October 30, 31, and November 1 at the University of the Arts (WEB LINK: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=23737).
Prior to the dedications, members of the UArts Jazz Ensemble, including Micah Jones (head of the UArts Bass Department) on bass and students Mike Pracher on tenor sax, Ian Brick on guitar, and Anwar Marshall on drums performed capable renditions of the Brown standard, “Joy Spring,” as well as a number of other songs made famous by the several dedicatees.
When it came time for Brown’s induction, Glanden stepped up to the podium and introduced Clifford’s niece, Michelle Whyte, who accepted the plaque in his memory. Glanden gave a brief history of Brown’s life and read a congratulatory message from Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden, long-time resident of the Wilmington area and an avid music fan. then he asked saxophonist Mike Pracher to play a few bars of “Tiny Capers” which Clifford wrote for Michelle many years ago when she was a child. Glanden then introduced Ms. Whyte, who spoke tearfully of Clifford and mentioned the precarious state of jazz in today’s economy. The entire event was filled with emotions: joy of giving and receiving the honors, sadness and grief for lost friends and days gone by, and enthusiasm for the music. Prominent and sometimes controversial DJ Jerry Blavatt emceed the occasion, bringing on the inductees as well as brief remarks from Tarsia, Gamble, and others. Celebrities like news anchor Trudy Haynes were in the audience and obviously very moved.
The Walk of Fame is populated by artists of all musical genres. Notable among the jazz musicians are Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, John Coltrane, Stanley Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Greco, the Heath Brothers, Philly Joe Jones, Eddie Lang, Pat Martino, Gerry Mulligan, Nina Simone, Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner, Charlie Ventura, and Grover Washington, Jr.
Innovated two decades ago under the aegis of musical entrepreneurs Joseph Tarsia, Kenny Gamble, and others, the Walk of Fame, a project of the Philadelphia Music Alliance, honors Philadelphia musicians of all genres who have “made a difference” in the musical life of the city and the world. It is a pleasure to stroll along the Avenue and take note of these individuals. Many musical memories will return for almost any Philadelphian or tourist. The “Walk” is a genuine attraction of the city.
The presence of Clifford Brown in this pantheon is long overdue. The delay can be explained by Clifford’s brief career (he died at age 26 in a car accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with pianist Richie Powell and the latter’s wife), and by his tenure in two cities: his home town of Wilimington, and his coming up as a fabled jazz musician in Philadelphia, strongly influenced by Fats Navarro’s inspiring presence there. This dedication rectified an absence that was obvious to any Clifford Brown fan in the region. Behind the scenes advocacy by University of the Arts music professors Don Glanden, Marc Dicciani, and Rick Lawn led to Brown’s nomination and acceptance by the Board of the Walk of Fame. Glanden has just completed a documentary of Clifford’s life which will be screened at the symposium, “Brownie Speaks” to be held on October 30, 31, and November 1 at the University of the Arts (WEB LINK: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=23737).
Prior to the dedications, members of the UArts Jazz Ensemble, including Micah Jones (head of the UArts Bass Department) on bass and students Mike Pracher on tenor sax, Ian Brick on guitar, and Anwar Marshall on drums performed capable renditions of the Brown standard, “Joy Spring,” as well as a number of other songs made famous by the several dedicatees.
When it came time for Brown’s induction, Glanden stepped up to the podium and introduced Clifford’s niece, Michelle Whyte, who accepted the plaque in his memory. Glanden gave a brief history of Brown’s life and read a congratulatory message from Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden, long-time resident of the Wilmington area and an avid music fan. then he asked saxophonist Mike Pracher to play a few bars of “Tiny Capers” which Clifford wrote for Michelle many years ago when she was a child. Glanden then introduced Ms. Whyte, who spoke tearfully of Clifford and mentioned the precarious state of jazz in today’s economy. The entire event was filled with emotions: joy of giving and receiving the honors, sadness and grief for lost friends and days gone by, and enthusiasm for the music. Prominent and sometimes controversial DJ Jerry Blavatt emceed the occasion, bringing on the inductees as well as brief remarks from Tarsia, Gamble, and others. Celebrities like news anchor Trudy Haynes were in the audience and obviously very moved.
The Walk of Fame is populated by artists of all musical genres. Notable among the jazz musicians are Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, John Coltrane, Stanley Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Greco, the Heath Brothers, Philly Joe Jones, Eddie Lang, Pat Martino, Gerry Mulligan, Nina Simone, Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner, Charlie Ventura, and Grover Washington, Jr.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
