Clifford Brown conference in Philly

[bertrand]

Anyone else planning on going to the Clifford Brown conference ('Brownie Speaks') in Philly next week-end? I hope to be there 10/31 and 11/1. Among other things, Noal Cohen and Mike Fitzgerald are presenting a talk on Gigi Gryce and Clifford Brown.

I made a tentative hotel reservation at the Sheraton at 17th and Race. However, it is two miles from the school (320 South Broad). I hope to avoid the $34 hotel parking. I will need to park at the school on Friday and Saturday during the day, and around the hotel at night. Any ideas on how I can do this without paying the crazy hotel fee? I may look into closer hotels with deals with the conference, although I doubt I will get a better rate, and they will still have the parking issue.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bertrand.

[bertrand]

Up - anyone going?

[Chalupa]

dang, I can't believe I forgot about this. Bertrand did you make it?

[bertrand]

I did go on Friday and Saturday. It was fantastic. Particularly good were the Gigi Gryce/Clifford Brown talks and Lewis Porter's talk. On Saturday, there was a panel with Jimmy Heath, Lou Donaldson and Benny Golson, three musicians who actually recorded with Brownie. There was a also a panel with family members, and several showings of a great new documentary on Brownie by Don Glanden who organized the conference.

Particularly hilarious moment: Heath telling one of the two others about how killing the Roach/Brown Beehive set is, and when the other said he didn't have it, Jimmy said: 'I'll burn you a copy'.

Coming in on Halloween day was a fucking nightmare. They had the parade for the World Series, and Broad street was packed - 2 million people. It took me an hour to cross from the West side of the street to the East side. And the cops weren't doing shit. It's amazing no one died that day - everyone was getting crushed. I snuck in through a back door of the building.

Bertrand.

Edited November 16, 2008 by bertrand