Jeff Bradshaw and local brass musicians to participate in “A Clarion Call for Justice”

Philadelphia trombonist Jeff Bradshaw, a vet of the jazz and hip-hop scenes, posted on Instagram today that he and the United Brass community are presenting “A Clarion Call for Justice,” a meeting of brass musicians at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the afternoon of June 13.

In his Instagram post, Bradshaw is “calling on all brass musicians from the Tri-State area and Beyond to use their voices against racism and police brutality.” At the Art Museum gathering, he and all other participants will meet to “celebrate the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery [sic], and Tony McDade through Beautiful Music.” All skill levels are allowed, and the only requirement is that “you are staunchly opposed to Racial Injustice.”

Bradshaw was born in North Philadelphia and took an immediate shining to brass instrumentation. He learned snare drum, baritone horn, and sousaphone, but his goal has always been “to make the trombone hip, a cool instrument in mainstream music, not just jazz.” In 1994, he became acquainted with other artists, such as Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots, becoming entrenched in the Philly neo-soul revolution and leading the collective Brass Heaven.

“A Clarion Call for Justice” will take place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on June 13 from 1pm to 4pm. Read Bradshaw’s original Instagram post below.