Honoring legendary bassist Stanley Clarke, innovator of jazz music, for his unbridled passion and dedication to his art, his contribution to the advances in music, and his commitment to the Philadelphia Community.

WHEREAS, Stanley Clarke is a musician, composer, and film scorer from West Philadelphia who attended Roxborough High School and the Philadelphia Academy of Music. He is also the cousin of City Council President Darrell Clarke and he single handedly started the 1970's “bass revolution” that initiated new techniques that would forever change the performance of jazz; and

WHEREAS, As part of one of the most important jazz fusion groups, “Return to Forever,” Stanley Clarke influenced the evolution of jazz and achieved popular and critical success. Since the 1970's Stanley Clarke has been crafting award winning, innovative music; and

WHEREAS, Recognized as both a solo artist and collaborator, his albums have been certified gold and platinum, Stanley Clarke won a Grammy in 1975 and was

Rolling Stone

's first ever Jazzman of the Year. His hit single “Lopsy Lu” and his ground-breaking anthem “School Days” transformed bass fusion and cultivated Philadelphia's reputation as a City of jazz innovation; and

WHEREAS, His skillful broadening of classical bass techniques has enhanced the musicality of both acoustic and electric bass. Stanley Clarke dedicated his knowledge and skill to the invention of two new instruments; the piccolo bass and the tenor bass, thereby increasing the melodic range of traditional bass instruments; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Clarke brought his creative energy and proficiency to film and television as a composer, orchestrator, conductor, and performer. His work as a film scorer has earned him an Emmy nomination and established him as one of the most elite artists in Hollywood; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Clarke has promoted the music community through the Stanley Clarke Foundation, which performs concerts to raise scholarship funds for young music talent and further enriches the Philadelphia music culture by promoting artists through the music label, Roxboro Entertainment Group. His dedication to diverse musical influences encourages the creativity and originality that the Philadelphia music scene has become known for; now therefore,

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors legendary bassist Stanley Clarke, innovator of jazz music, for his unbridled passion and dedication to his art, his contribution to the advances in music, and his commitment to the Philadelphia Community.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Stanley Clarke as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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