The Philadelphia Music Project, a program of the Philadelphia Center for Arts and Heritage, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts, sponsored the performance component of the symposium, with additional support from The University of the Arts and the recently founded Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Project. The three-day event featured performances by Terence Blanchard, Benny Golson, Lou Donaldson, Marcus Belgrave, the UArts Jazz Ensembles and many others. The Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra premiered a new John Fedchock composition dedicated to Clifford Brown. 

“Brownie Speaks: A Video Documentary,” produced by UArts School of Music faculty member, composer, pianist, and recording artist Don Glanden, premiered at the symposium. Brown’s son, Clifford Brown Jr. served as the symposium’s master of ceremonies. Participants included Nat Hentoff, Lewis Porter, Don Glanden, Rick Lawn, Alan Hood, Nick Catalano. Phil Schaap, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Lou Donaldson, Geneva Griffin, and others.  There were also daily performances by jazz ensembles from The University of the Arts School of Music, Marc Dicciani, Director. 

Among the many highlights during the symposium was a tribute to comedian Soupy Sales for his lifelong support of jazz. For many years, Soupy hosted a television show where he presented interviews and performances of jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Clifford Brown. It is believed that Soupy has the only known video of Clifford Brown performing. CLICK HERE to listen to an audio clip of an NPR show describing the accomplishments and tribute to Soupy Sales.