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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MARY LOU WILLIAMS
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what happened to jazz songwriting
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I write songs in the traditional jazz form (AABA structures, melodies that emphasize the sixth and the ninth, strict rhyming schemes etc.) and was hoping there might be others out here who are interested in the same. My goal is to find other like-minded composers arrangers and songwriters who also sing, harmonize, and perform. I am looking to put together a recording project of my own songs (and others hopefully) combined with some of the best-kept secret vocalists in Pittsburgh. Some influences include Gershwin, Ellington/Strayhorn, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Randy Newman, and especially the vocalise artists like Lambert Hendricks and Ross.
Website: http://theblue-hots@hotmail.com
Location: Pittsburgh
Members: 6
Latest Activity: Oct 2, 2018
Discussion Forum
Just give us the "pedestrian"...no time for JAZZ
Started by Don Cerminara Oct 2, 2018. 0 Replies 0 Likes
What happened to jazz...specifically.."jazz writing"? Fairly simple! Jazz requires a fairly intelligent audience. You've got to LISTEN! The guys playin it were intelligent..as regards...chord…Continue
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Comment by Bob Garvin on October 16, 2017 at 5:40pm
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Blues singer Bullmoose Jackson had a band that included both Benny Golson and Tadd Dameron. Years later, the Flashcats, a Pittsburgh group, helped Jackson rejuvenate his career. In the '40s, Bullmoose had a hit record---"I Loves You, Yes I Do". In the '80s, Pittsburgh audiences enjoyed his rendition of---"My Big 10-inch-----Record of the Band That Played the Blues".
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Q1: Without looking it up, name the bandleader that two great jazz/bop songwriters and arrangers, Tadd Dameron and Benny Golson, once played for at the same time. Q2: Name the last group that same bandleader appeared with several times in Pittsburgh. Q3: Name the top-selling record that bandleader made that wasn't played on the radio.
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Comment by Revalyn on September 10, 2016 at 11:53am
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Wish I lived in Pittsburg but am glad you are moving in this direction. I look forward to seeing/hearing what you produce! Makin' Music Matters.... oh, yeah!
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