bs symposium 2

FULL SCHEDULE  •  LECTURES  •  PANEL DISCUSSIONS  •  SPECIAL EVENTS  • PERFORMANCES

Page under construction

Brownie Speaks: A Symposium and Concert Series was a three-day event celebrating and documenting the life, music and legacy of Clifford Brown. It was hosted by the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, October 30 – November 1, 2008. A collaborative pilot project between The University of the Arts and the newly founded Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Project, the event included paper presentations, panel discussions, special events and performances. The centerpiece of the event was the pre-release premiere screening of Don Glanden’s film, Brownie Speaks: A Video Documentary.

Activities included:

  • Three major concerts featuring: Marcus Belgrave, Terence Blanchard, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Clifford Brown Jazz Immortal Septet and Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra. *
  • The premiere of John Fedchock’s composition/arrangement “10/30/30.”
  • Fourteen lecture / panel discussions.
  • Three premiere screenings of Brownie Speaks: A Video Documentary.
  • Soupy Sales Tribute: President’s Award for Advancement and Preservation of Jazz.
  • Two open jam sessions for students, faculty and guest artists.
  • Performances by ten University of the Arts ensembles.
  • Artist participation in workshops, master classes and panels.

Notable symposium facts:

  • Approximately 1600 people attended the evening performances.
  • More than 125 people were registered participants in the conference.
  • Every event began with a student performance paying tribute to Clifford Brown.
  • WHYY filmed the Terence Blanchard performance which aired numerous times.
  • The event attracted extensive media coverage in major jazz publications and local newspapers.
  • Archival video recordings were made of every event along with still images that total in the thousands.
  • Twenty-three university staff members along with numerous students and faculty contributed to the success of the event.
  • An added attraction for attendees was the Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series victory parade down Broad Street!

Symposium Director: Don Glanden

Symposium Executive Producer: Rick Lawn

* The concert series was funded by The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, through the Philadelphia Music Project.