Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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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.
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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
Support or non-support for the culture ?
Is that not what is really about? Are people supporting the culture that embraces the music or are folks supporting individuals who really don't have the people in mind at all? Or do they want to exploit the culture for their own purposes. They have been lied to, bamboozled.
For over a year now I have been promoting a FREE monthly Jazz event. For the past 31 years I have been broadcasting Jazz over the airwaves and talking about the culture that sussounds the music. Did I do something wrong or do people feel threatened that a African American male stands up and supports his cultural heritage?
I have also interviewed and wrote about the music and culture. I also coordinated for a number of years free concerts that attracted thousands of people from the Pittsburgh area and beyond. I did not do this for monetary gain. I am a cultural warrior. I will continue to support the culture and the artists and the lovers of culture who support the same.
It is not about me.
Like Betty Carter said years ago, "It not about the music". It is way beyond that.
Kevin Amos
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Francis Bruce Marion, DC on
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Dear Kevin,
Thank you for reminding us of the bigger view from above that reminds us to feel the resonating jazz vibrations that tie the past, present and future together. The Pittsburgh creations that you've initialized, promoted and sustained are greatly appreciated by more that just a few of us quieter musicians. We thank you for being the cultural warrior that you are! Attempting to keep the audiences of the changing media open to the resonating past and current Pittsburgh jazz improvisational essence is a true project of love and respect. God will reward you, hopefully sooner rather than later. sincerely, Dr Francis Bruce Marion
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