Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 31 YEARS
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PITTSBURGH JAZZ
Roger Humphries
From Blakey to Brown, Como to Costa, Eckstine to Eldridge, Galbraith to Garner, Harris to Hines, Horne to Hyman, Jamal to Jefferson, Kelly to Klook; Mancini to Marmarosa, May to Mitchell, Negri to Nestico, Parlan to Ponder, Reed to Ruther, Strayhorn to Sullivan, Turk to Turrentine, Wade to Williams… the forthcoming publication Treasury of Pittsburgh Jazz Connections by Dr. Nelson Harrison and Dr. Ralph Proctor, Jr. will document the legacy of one of the world’s greatest jazz capitals.
Do you want to know who Dizzy Gillespie idolized? Did you ever wonder who inspired Kenny Clarke and Art Blakey? Who was the pianist that mentored Monk, Bud Powell, Tad Dameron, Elmo Hope, Sarah Vaughan and Mel Torme? Who was Art Tatum’s idol and Nat Cole’s mentor? What musical quartet pioneered the concept adopted later by the Modern Jazz Quartet? Were you ever curious to know who taught saxophone to Stanley Turrentine or who taught piano to Ahmad Jamal? What community music school trained Robert McFerrin, Sr. for his history-making debut with the Metropolitan Opera? What virtually unknown pianist was a significant influence on young John Coltrane, Shirley Scott, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Timmons and Ray Bryant when he moved to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh in the 1940s? Would you be surprised to know that Erroll Garner attended classes at the Julliard School of Music in New York and was at the top of his class in writing and arranging proficiency?
Some answers can be gleaned from the postings on the Pittsburgh Jazz Network.
For almost 100 years the Pittsburgh region has been a metacenter of jazz originality that is second to no other in the history of jazz. One of the best kept secrets in jazz folklore, the Pittsburgh Jazz Legacy has heretofore remained mythical. We have dubbed it “the greatest story never told” since it has not been represented in writing before now in such a way as to be accessible to anyone seeking to know more about it. When it was happening, little did we know how priceless the memories would become when the times were gone.
Today jazz is still king in Pittsburgh, with events, performances and activities happening all the time. The Pittsburgh Jazz Network is dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the places, artists and fans that carry on the legacy of Pittsburgh's jazz heritage.
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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
The musicianly sophistication of jazz in Pittsburgh justifies its rightful claim to its legend as "The Land of the Giant Killers."
The Trombetto
Nothing but Music
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Blog Posts
Pioneers of African American Entertainment in Pittsburgh
Posted by Dr. Nelson Harrison on March 1, 2015 at 8:14am 4 Comments 3 Likes
Pioneers of African American Entertainment in Pittsburgh
Prepared by Dr. Theodora D. Cotton *
We are indebted to Frank E. Bolden who graciously granted an interview on a Sunday evening for this information. Mr. Bolden, who is an authority on African American history in Western Pennsylvania, is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical commission and the History and Landmarks Foundation. Born and educated in Western…
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Clark Terry
Posted by Melissa Jones on February 22, 2015 at 9:33pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Fred Staton's 100th Birthday Gig
Posted by Melissa Jones on February 15, 2015 at 9:05pm 0 Comments 3 Likes
Last night, (February, 14th) Fred Staton celebrated his 100th birthday! WOW! Not only was Fred present at Local 802 to enjoy the celebration, he PLAYED! Happy 100th Birthday Fred Staton!
Lordy Lordy Phat Man Dee's 40!
Posted by Phat Man Dee on February 13, 2015 at 5:36pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Friends! I do not know how this has happened.... I have been told that time waits for no Mandee.... and while that was fine by me, as I believe that time is cyclical, everything just comes around and as long as you know the chords, the improv will fall in and around as it desires.... but sometimes you must not ignore the call to get yourself to the gig on time, and it is in…
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Tony Campbell and Jazz Surgery
Posted by Charlie Becker on February 9, 2015 at 2:15pm 0 Comments 1 Like
I would like to thank Tony Campbell and Jazz Surgery for the opportunity this past Saturday at The Village Tavern. Two years ago I did not play an instrument. Six months ago I did not own a jazz tune. Tony invited me to sit-in on the drums and we played Moanin' by the late great Art Blakey. What a thrill playing with such great musicians. If you have not been to The Village Tavern to see Tony and the band on Saturdays from 5 - 7:30 please get there. Also, thanks to drummer Kevin Hindes for…
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Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison Mar 3, 2009 at 12:13am. Last updated by Dr. Nelson Harrison Mar 3, 2009.
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LYRICAL TRIBUTE TO ALPHONSE "BUMPTY" WASHINGTON
Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison Oct 24, 2010 at 3:19am. Last updated by Dr. Nelson Harrison Oct 24, 2010.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN JAZZ CAUCUS, INC.
L-R: Dr. Nelson Harrison, Freddie Redd, Dr. Karlton Hester, Dr. Larry Ridley - Santa Cruz, CA - 2009
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CALENDAR
If you read a recent front page story in the San Francisco
Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had
become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was
weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to
struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope
wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her
mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands
(outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for
help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined
that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and
untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and
eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in
what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and
every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently
around as she was thanking them. Some said it was the most
incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the
rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole
time, and he will never be the same. May you, and all those you
love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who
will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.
And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.
I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.
It's a good life!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!
© 2015 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
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