A South Philly music institution will see a major renovation project thanks to a multi-million dollar-gift from the William Penn Foundation.
Just before the start of its 2024-25 Concert Series Kickoff, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts unveiled plans for a $4.5 million renovation project of its historic facility at 736 S. Broad St.
The renovation will create new program rooms and spaces, rearrange existing ones, improve interior circulation and introduce new lighting, colors, materials and finishes, according to officials. The building’s exterior and signage will also transform significantly to better reflect its vibrant cultural mission.
In addition to the $2 million donated by the William Penn Foundation, the Clef Club has raised another $1 million to put the organization significantly closer to paying off the cost of the renovations.
“We are thrilled to share that the William Penn Foundation has awarded us a generous $2 million lead gift to our capital campaign,” said Dr. Ken Scott, president of the Board of Directors. “With additional funds raised totaling $1.04 million, we have reached 67 percent of our goal. However, we still need to raise the remaining 33 percent, approximately $1.5 million, to fully fund this vital initiative.”
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts was founded in 1966 by members of Musicians’ Protective Union Local 274, the American Federation of Musicians. The organization was originally chartered as a separate black union because black musicians were denied membership in the racially segregated Local 77. Members included jazz greats John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Washington Jr. and Nina Simone.
The Clef Club also established a world-class music education program and has seen members participate in a broad program of private instruction, master classes, ensembles, summer jazz camps and performances. Great musicians who passed through its doors include multi-Grammy winner Christian McBride, multi-Grammy nominated Orrin Evans, Joey DeFrancesco, Jaleel Shaw, Immanuel Wilkens and Joseph Block.
The new renovations plan to honor the past while helping young musicians in the future.
“We are deeply grateful to the William Penn Foundation for their support,” said Oscar Payne, PCC’s managing director since 2022. “This renovation will not only improve our facility, but will also enable us to provide even higher-quality artistic experiences to the community, build new audiences and forge strong partnerships.”
The announcement comes as the iconic institution launched its fall concert season and Music Education Program while celebrating the retirement of longtime artistic director Lovett Hines, who has been a pivotal figure in the development of the music education program since 1985. For information on upcoming shows at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, visit https://clefclubofjazz.org/pcc-events.
