WHEREAS, Jazz is a uniquely American art form, born from the depth of the African American experience, that has shaped the cultural, social, and political life of the United States and continues to move people, spark creativity, and bring communities together across generations; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has played a central and enduring role in the development and evolution of jazz, producing and nurturing some of the most influential and transformative musicians in the history of the genre, including John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith, the Heath Brothers, and Grover Washington Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has also been home to extraordinary women in jazz whose artistry and vision helped define what jazz could be, including Nina Simone, Billy Holiday, Dottie Smith, Shirley Scott, Trudy Pitts, and Dinah Washington; and
WHEREAS, The story of jazz in Philadelphia is inseparable from the struggle for justice, for racial equity, for workers' rights, and for dignity in the workplace. At the heart of that struggle stood the Musicians' Protective Union Local 274, chartered in 1935 as a Black musicians' union during an era of segregation, which fought to ensure that African American artists had representation, respect, and a fair living at a time when so many institutions refused to offer any of those things; and
WHEREAS, Local 274 became one of the longest running independent Black musicians’ unions in the United States and served as a powerful example of collective organizing, cultural self-determination, and labor advocacy within the arts; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts was established in 1966 as the social and cultural arm of Local 274’s legacy, and has carried that spirit forward ever since as a vital home for jazz performance, education, and a source of deep community pride in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Clef Club remains one of the most cherished institutions on the Avenue of the Arts, investing in the next generation of musicians through youth education, public performance, and artist development, and making sure that Philadelphia's musical traditions are passed down with the love and intention they deserve; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s jazz community continues to flourish today through the dedication of artists, educators, venues, and organizations such as Jazz Philadelphia, who honor the past while keeping the music alive, accessible, and ever evolving; and
WHEREAS, Jazz Appreciation Month, celebrated nationally each April, gives us a meaningful chance to pause, listen, and acknowledge the artists and communities who have given so much of themselves to keep this music going; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declares April 2026 as Jazz Appreciation Month in the City of Philadelphia and proudly celebrate the City's jazz legacy, everything it has been, and everything it continues to become; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia honors the legacy of the Musicians’ Protective Union Local 274 and recognizes its enduring contributions to racial equity, labor rights, and artistic excellence in this City; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council extends its heartfelt commendation to the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts and to the broader jazz community whose passion and perseverance enrich the lives of Philadelphians every day; and
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary, as an expression of sincere admiration, respect, and gratitude of this legislative body.
End