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.
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INTERVIEW
James Street Live: Classic venue reopens
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| Written by Christian Morrow - Courier Staff Writer | ||
| Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:27 | ||
Before it closed in 2000, if you wanted to have a good meal and some drinks while rubbing elbows with everyone from jazz greats like Dwayne Dolphin, Roger Humphries or Jimmy Ponder, to down-home bands like the Blues Orphans, the James Street Tavern on the North Side was the place to be. And now, it is again.
Thanks to music fans and entrepreneurs Adam Johnston and Lisa Saftner, the classic music venue reopened in December, and, as of Jan. 8 has become the new home of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society. Jazz Society Founder Tony Mowod said the new venue is great. “It’s tremendous amount of fun,” he said. “They have full houses every Sunday night. The owners are truly jazz lovers and have supported the Jazz Society wonderfully. Jazz fans have been arriving early and have been having a great time!” The reopened venue also has a new name, the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy. The name not only reflects Executive Chef Alex Johnson’s, scratch-made menu, but also the availability of local craft-brewed beers and the cozy atmosphere in the main floor Speakeasy Lounge. Recent Pittsburgh Jazz Hall Of Fame inductee Tim Stevens, a 40-year veteran of the local music scene and member of the Jazz Society, played a Pre-Valentine’s Concert in the downstairs pub Feb. 12. He said it really brought back memories, especially when guest artist Kenny Blake joined the Tim Stevens/Leonard Johnson Project on stage. “It was a real loss when the old James Street closed,” said Stevens. “So to see these young people, Adam and Lisa, who really appreciate the music, take this on—it’s fantastic.” Johnson said he and Saftner met while working at the Steak House at the Meadows Casino, but had always worked in the restaurant field, and often spent down-time talking about going into business for themselves. In December they did. “Lisa and I looked all over, East End, on Carson Street, but then we came in here and fell in love with it,” he said. “I’m the jazz person and Lisa’s the blues person, and my brother is running the kitchen. And we’ve been very well received.” The menu, Johnson said, is as eclectic as the neighborhood, featuring everything from hot wing appetizers to grilled tuna entrees and everything in-between. As for the music, you can hear live performances Thursday-Sunday, and every other Tuesday is open-mike night. But that may change. “We have a couple of things set up on Wednesdays,” said Johnson. “Hell, I’d love to have live music every night. Maybe down the road, we can.” For a look at what’s on the menu and what’s in store musically, you can see the schedule through the end of March at www.jamesstreetgastropub.com. (Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com .) |
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adam Johnston & James Street on
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Thanks Doc!!
I couldnt be happier to be part of pittsburghs rich jazz community!! We are bringing in all of pittsburghs favorites as well as some new young artists. So come help us keep jazz alive in the burgh, and support your local jazz artists.... see you soon, we'll keep the drinks cold and the Jazz HOT!!!
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