Clifford Brown
Trumpet
About
One of the great jazz tragedies, Clifford Brown was killed in a car accident at age 25. Despite his brief career, he is regularly identified as one of the top jazz trumpeters, mentioned in the same breath as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. He is remembered for his warm tone, and his mature approach to improvising as well as the strength of his compositions. In 1953 Brown played in the Tadd Dameron and Lionel Hampton bands. In 1954 he recorded with Art Blakey's quintet and then, with Max Roach, formed the legendary Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. He played with the group until his death in 1956.
Trivia
Clifford Brown was a proponent of clean living and avoided drugs and alcohol. After Brown's death, Benny Golson composed "I Remember Clifford," as a tribute; it has become a jazz standard. The only film of Brown playing was recorded in 1955 as part of a Soupy Sales variety show, but the footage was lost for 40 years before finally being recovered.
Early Life
Clifford Brown was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. As a child he sang in a quartet with his brothers and he picked up the trumpet as a young teen. He played in school bands and began making trips to play in Philadelphia during his high school years. Brown enrolled in Delaware State University as a math major, but quickly transferred to Maryland State to play in the school's jazz band. He was in a serious car accident in 1950 which put him out of commission for a full year. By 1952 he was back on the scene and made his first professional recording with Chris Powell's R&B group.
Clifford Brown Solos
1956
Trumpet solo - Valse Hot - 1956
3/4 waltz in A♭ major at 132 BPM
Trumpet solo - Kiss And Run - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 272 BPM
Trumpet solo - I Feel A Song Coming On - 1956
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 331 BPM
Trumpet solo - Pent-Up House - 1956
4/4 swing in G major at 198 BPM
1955
Trumpet solo - Cherokee - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 350 BPM
Trumpet solo - Jacqui - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 188 BPM
Trumpet solo - Swingin' - 1955
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 295 BPM
Trumpet solo - Lands End - 1955
4/4 swing in A♭ minor at 147 BPM
Trumpet solo - George's Dilemma - 1955
4/4 latin in D♭ minor at 157 BPM
Trumpet solo - Sandu - 1955
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 140 BPM
Trumpet solo - Gerkin For Perkin - 1955
4/4 swing in F major at 211 BPM
Trumpet solo - If I Love Again - 1955
4/4 swing in F major at 254 BPM
Trumpet solo - Take The "A" Train - 1955
4/4 swing in C major at 279 BPM
Trumpet solo - The Blues Walk - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 240 BPM
Trumpet solo - What Am I Here For? - 1955
4/4 swing in C major at 271 BPM
Trumpet solo - The Blues Walk - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 260 BPM
1954
Trumpet solo - Delilah - 1954
4/4 swing in G♭ minor at 143 BPM
Trumpet solo - Parisian Thoroughfare - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 182 BPM
Trumpet solo - Daahoud - 1954
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 244 BPM
Trumpet solo - Joy Spring - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 164 BPM
Trumpet solo - Jordu - 1954
4/4 swing in C minor at 141 BPM
Trumpet solo - Daahoud - 1954
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 232 BPM
Trumpet solo - Joy Spring - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 164 BPM