Title
Recognizing and honoring The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts for serving and representing Philadelphia as a legendary institution of jazz performance and education on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
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WHEREAS, In 1966 the Union Local No. 274 of the American Federation of Musicians, Philadelphia’s black musicians union, founded The Clef Club as its social club. Over 700 musicians belonged to the club in its beginning, including jazz legends such as John Coltrane, “Philly Joe” Jones, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie; and
WHEREAS, The Clef Club soon became a premiere venue for jazz in Philadelphia and an important incubator of jazz talent the world would come to know, hosting performances by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Max Roach, Clifford Brown and other greats; and
WHEREAS, In 1978 the organization expanded its functions beyond that of a social club to include jazz performance and instruction as well as the preservation of Philadelphia’s jazz history. The organization changed its official name to The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts; and
WHEREAS, The Clef Club moved into a new facility—the first ever constructed specifically as a jazz institution—in October, 1995. The facility includes a 240-seat performance hall, multiple classrooms and practice studios. Its flourishing on the Avenue of the Arts is a symbol of the importance of jazz music in this City and nation; and
WHEREAS, The facility’s capacities make it a quintessential jazz education center for the artists and youth of the region. The renowned Lovett Hines, who has taught contemporary Philadelphia-raised music ambassadors such as Christian McBride and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, runs The Clef Club’s education programs. Children and adults alike can learn from private instructors and through ensembles, workshops and concerts. The Clef Club also partners with schools and community centers to bring music education to communities throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, The Clef Club continues to be a cornerstone of the Philadelphia jazz scene. In 2015 WXPN’s The Key publication wrote, “Philly has enjoyed a bumper crop of jazz prodigies in recent years, the roots of which can almost always be traced to the Clef Club”. The Clef Club continues to present Philadelphia audiences with the finest jazz talent, whether homegrown or from around the world; and
WHEREAS, The great Wynton Marsalis once wrote, “Jazz music is America's past and its potential…the music can connect us to our earlier selves and to our better selves-to-come.” Philadelphia’s role as a fount of jazz music is demonstrative of its strong representation of America’s past and potential; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts for serving and representing Philadelphia as a legendary institution of jazz performance and education on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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