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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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Frank B. Greenlee on
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We all miss "The Grill", that said let's get about the business of having "The Grill" designated a Historical Pittsburgh and/or World Jazz Landmark at which point we maybe able to secure funding to have it, "The Grill", purchased and restored to its former self to function as a living and breathing museum of the jazz legacy that Pittsburgh contributed. Please comment.... only action works.
Frank B. Greenlee -
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Amos on
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Big G and Nelson....This discussion I think has gone on too long. The people who have the funds to purchase and renovate the building should just go ahead and do it. For at least the past 5 or 6 years ( and in some cases longer) I've just heard people talking loud and doing nothing. The whole secenario on how the Grill got to this point stinks and we should not have let that happen regardless. It's our fault, let's be real about it.
You would think that preserving this important Jazz landmark would be a priority for Pittsburgh musicians worldwide and other folks who know of the history. I have friends from outside of Pittsburgh who always ask me what is being done about the Grill.It's embarrasing.
The other thing is that there are other cultural institutions in this city and other cities that are not being preserved either( ie; Granada Theater, Homewood Opera House). When these places are taken over by other folks who don't look like us then we will complain. We need more folks to be pro-active and not reactive. We cannot wait for a grant or handout. It ain't going to happen and we are way too dependent on that.
There are too many who want to eat the stew but few who actually want to prepare it from scratch and follow things through.
Kevin -
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Nelson Harrison on
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The Crawford Grill has been purchased by a group of local investors who are interested in restoring it to its rightful place at the pinnacle of the jazz community and heartbeat of the venerated tradition that produced more jazz legends than any other city. Please add your comment, opinions and encouragement to them so tht they gain a truer sense of what it will mean to the jazz community to have the Grill back on the block.
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