The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission approved the nomination of jazz trumpeter, composer and activist Lee Morgan for a historical marker.
Lee will join John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, and his union, Union Local 274 of the American Federation of Musicians, with a historical marker in Philadelphia. The blue-and-gold marker will be installed in front of the former location of Music City where as a high school student Lee participated in instructional clinics and Tuesday night jam sessions with jazz luminaries, including Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and Miles Davis.
On June 26, 1956, trumpeter Clifford Brown left from Music City for a gig in Chicago. Brownie, along with pianist Richie Powell and Powell’s wife, Nancy, were killed in a car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
There has been an outpouring of interest in attending the unveiling (Date TBD). However, we must limit attendance because the historical marker will be installed on a busy street with a lot of traffic. This tribute didn’t just happen. A small group of people made it happen. By the same token, a dedication ceremony doesn’t just happen. It must be planned and PAID for.
To join us at the dedication ceremony, please make a donation of $50.00 to help defray expenses.
Donations of $500.00 will be listed as Community Sponsors on social media and the website, Lee Morgan’s Philadelphia.
If you cannot attend but want to support this long overdue recognition of Lee’s musical virtuosity, please make a donation. No donation is too small to preserve Lee’s story in public memory.
Please click on the image to make a donation with PayPal, debit or credit card. Thank you!
