Lovett Hines, Artistic Director

Philadelphia music legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and Cleveland’s DJ Ed Wright were the founders of the Black Music Association, which established Black Music Month in 1979.   Philadelphia- based, Dyana Williams, music industry professional and co-founder of the African American Music Foundation, worked with local congresswoman in 1990 to draft House Resolution 509, better known as The African-American Music Bill, introduced in its official form commemorating extraordinary contributions made by Black musicians and signed by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979. It was given its current name, African-American Music Appreciation Month, by President Barack Obama in his 2016 proclamation. President Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country “to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s endearing promise of freedom and opportunity for all.  “

During African American Music Appreciation Month, the Philadelphia Clef Club pays tribute to the talented and inspiring African American artists who have given sound and voice to the full range of human emotions through the blues, jazz, gospel, rock and roll, rap, hip hop and other genres.  

Throughout the year, we join with those who celebrate the countless contributions of African American singers, composers, and musicians, who have influenced and shaped every genre and style of music and used their talents and voices to advance the cause of equity, inclusion and justice for people of color in America.

In the words of recently departed Blues icon Frank Bey, “ step on it and tell the story,” and Spike Lee’s 4 Little girls wrenching documentary account of the 1963 bombing of a Birmingham,  Alabama church by four Klansmen was musically depicted by John Coltrane’s “Alabama” that appears on his album Live at Birdland (1963).

 CLICK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8iKZUBDrJQ

As we continue to observe African American Music Appreciation month, globally support Black Lives Matter and emerge from COVID-19, I am reminded of Sam Cooke’s inspirational last recording, “A Change is Gonna Come”.  The music never stops! 

CLICK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4