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
Dedicated jazz lover and fan Myrtle Dolores Wilson (Cotman) October 16, 1929 - January 27, 2021
Myrtle Dolores Wilson (Cotman)
Obituary
Dolores was born in Homestead, PA but lived most of her life in the East End of Pittsburgh. She was happily retired after working many years as a check processor at PNC Bank and also as an assistant at Genevieve Jones Dance Studio.
Because the community was so vital to her, she was a dedicated volunteer for 40+ years with several organizations. Dolores was a long time 14th Ward Democratic Committee Woman, helping many residents to register to vote and endorsing political candidates.
Dolores served as a liaison with North Point Breeze Planning and Development and the Pittsburg Police. She was very proud to have graduated from the 1st class of the Pittsburgh Citizen Community Police in 1996.
She was a member of City Source Associates, which cleaned up vacant lots and employed and trained employees considered unemployable.
And she volunteered with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and planted flowers in North Point Breeze green spaces.
In 2005, Dolores was selected as the recipient of the Community Champion and Jefferson Award for Public Service.
She was a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in East Liberty. Dolores loved Pittsburgh’s jazz scene, local theaters, single malt scotch, and wine! And she was a dedicated supporter and fan of the Pitt Panthers, the Pitt Band, and Pittsburgh Pirates!
At a venue with live jazz, a memorial service will be held when state restrictions are lifted. Arrangements are entrusted to RJ Slater IV Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1000 Freeport Rd., New Kensington, Pa. 724-335-0100. www.rjslater.com
© 2024 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
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