Clifford Brown

Clifford Brown, born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1930, was a prodigious jazz trumpeter whose brief yet impactful career left an indelible mark on the genre. Despite his life being tragically cut short in a car accident at the age of 25 in 1956, Brown's influence endures. He synthesized the styles of Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro, forging his own distinctive and articulate voice. His recorded output, spanning just four years, includes seminal works like the 1955 album "Study In Brown," a collaboration with Max Roach that showcases his potent trumpet skills. Brown's legacy is celebrated for his intelligent and fluent playing, making him one of the most important figures in jazz history.