Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
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PITTSBURGH JAZZ
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.
WELCOME!
Groups
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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
Speigle
Phil Butchelli
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And When You Leave.mp3, 2.6 MB -
If I Could Find The Words.mp3, 3.3 MB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIX on
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Hi Phil. I just seen your message. Like you and so many others, I too did not know that Speigle had passed. He and I were good friends back in the late 60's and early 70's. I went off to work with an 'oldies band (The Memories) and he went off to find his groove; so we lost touch. Here is a photo I have with him and I and the band we were with then. I regret that I can't remember the band right now. But I think we called ourselves The Highlights......I guess I've been in too many bands in the last 40yrs. Take care.
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Permalink Reply by Phil The Knight on
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Thanks Southside Jerry. This is what I'm talkin about. Did you ever see Speig in the Rhythm Kings? I can still hear his tight syncopated consecutive up sock hits in my head whenever they need to be played even when my drummer has no clue of that style and how effective Speig's lines were. I added that part of his style to my rhythm playing. That was just one his legacies he was able to pass on to me as a player. As a caring person, his lessons were just as valuable.
Phil
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Because of conflicts of schedule, I never got the chance to see Speigle w/'THE RHYTHM KINGS' but I heard a lot about them. However, I do remember seeing him withTHE PARKER BROTHERS. I still have an LP of theirs. Again, another awesome band. Too bad there are not many bands of that type around today, to my knowledge anyway. Those groups had engery, talent and a groove I don't see much of anymore.
Phil, I wish you the best and continued success.
Peace, my friend..
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Southside Jerry,
The last song on one of the sides of the Parker Bros album is a song that I wrote called Walking Alone At Night. I even helped Speigle a little work on his song Stop Playing With My Emotions, also on the album, trying a couple different things he had in his head. When it came to originals we always worked good together. I used to go sit in with them more times than I can count at the Boardwalk when I was off. I knew them all. You're right Jerry. There are some groups today with that kind of energy but not as many as back then. Every night was a hot night. Is there any other kind of night??? lol
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