Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Clifford Brown

Legendary Jazz Musician

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016

1. Clifford Brown Marker

Inscription. Born on October 30, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware, Clifford Brown was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the mid-20th century. He began to play the trumpet as a teenager while attending Howard High School. By 1948 he was playing in Philadelphia with pioneering jazz performers such as Fats Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. It was Navarro’s influence that played a major role in the development of “Brownie” as one of the stars of the emerging “bop” style of jazz. Following a lengthy recovery from an automobile accident in June 1950, he resumed his career, making his recording debut in 1952 with Chris Powell’s Blue Flames. In 1953 he toured Europe with Lionel Hampton. The following year he was selected as ‘New Star of the Year’ in a poll of industry critics. His considerable talent and virtuosity resulted in recordings with Art Blakey, Art Farmer, J. J. Johnson, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and others. In 1954 he joined with Max Roach to form the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet, considered by many to be the greatest “hard bop” ensemble of all time. His life ended tragically on June 26, 1956, when

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he was killed in an accident while traveling to perform. Clifford Brown was laid to rest in Wilmington’s Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-146.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 39° 44.887′ N, 75° 32.453′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is on Clifford Brown Walk, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance to Clifford Brown Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and

Clifford Brown image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, unknown

2. Clifford Brown

also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Clifford Brown (a few steps from this marker); Mayor James M. Baker Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard High School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Votes for Women (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brandywine Pumping Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forgotten Heroes (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Starr House (approx. 0.2 miles away); James H. Sills, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . . Clifford Brown. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 3, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2023

3. Clifford Brown Marker

Clifford Brown Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016

4. Clifford Brown Park

Note the trumpet outline on the walkway.

Brandywine River Ballroom image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016

5. Brandywine River Ballroom

Club next door to Clifford Brown Park and marker.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 3, 2024

6. Clifford Brown Marker

Clifford Brown Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 3, 2024

7. Clifford Brown Garden

Clifford Brown Garden has many tributes to the musician and his peers and mentors scattered throughout the park.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 999 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2019, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 3, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on February 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on March 17, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.