City of Philadelphia
Resolution No. 010087

Introduced February 1, 2001

Councilmembers Rizzo, Blackwell, Reynolds Brown, Ortiz, Council President Verna, Councilmember DiCicco, Clarke, Cohen, Krajewski, Coode, Nutter, Miller, Tasco, Longstreth, Kenney, Mariano and O'Neill

Referred to the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Resolution

Authorizing the City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, to conduct hearings prompted by the circumstances surrounding the arrest of world-renowned jazz musician, Byard Lancaster, on the cultural importance of street musicians and other street performers who choose to express themselves through music and other performing arts on City streets and public property.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia jazz great, Byard Lancaster, who has played for Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton and has performed with some of the major jazz artists on teh country including John Coltrane and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, was arrested on November 7, 2000, and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly "playing various instruments and causing alarm in front of a Wawa (at 17th and Arch Streets) asking passerby for change." The charge against Byard Lancaster was subsequently dismissed; and...

...they (street musicians) often prove to be a welcome and productive part of the cultural fabric of the City of Philadelphia which needs their artistic expressions, and should be allowed to express themselves to others through their music and other performing arts.

Let the music play!