Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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Pain Relief Beyond Belief
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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
DR. NELSON HARRISON & HIS TROMBETTO
There is no other horn in the world like this one made especially for me by Ted Weir.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Comment
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Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on June 18, 2008 at 6:34am
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Kenny,
David Hardiman is a close colleague of mine. I play in his AAJC Big Band that has been, up until now, featured at the IAJE Conventions. You can hear the trombetto on my page on 2 tracks: Dig and One for All. you can also get the complete story of its development on my blog: http://trombetto.peopleaggregator.net. I guess it is in Bb because the finger conforms to Bb trumpet fingering, however, I can play 6+ octaves chromatically on it... from the lowest C on the piano to the highest Bb.
It isn't in the horn family because it is the only horn of its kind, i.e., there is only one in existence and it's mine.
I'm so glad to hear that you have developed into a fine musician. I promise to get you Squirrel's number. He will be glad to hear from you. He is not actively playing presently.
I hope you are enjoying the network. It is a great way to get and stay connected. Post some pictures when you get a chance so we can see you in action.
Peace,
Nelson
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Comment by Kenny Hawkins on June 18, 2008 at 2:10am
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By David I meant David Hardiman and I meant to say 1 in 4000 flute player use the opne G# system. Even those numbers might be a bit optimistic.
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Hey Nelson,
Julian was very encouraging to me when I first arrived in CA. He was so humble that I never realized how great and well known he was until sometime later. I was playing recently in San Francisco and David came up and introduced himself ( I had met him years ago ) he gave me some very nice compliments and made himself available for any help and connections I may have needed.
I am so very curious about your trombetto. Is it in Bb? Where is it in the horn family?
WHere can I hear what it sounds like? WHo came up with the concept? It looks like a fascinating instrument.
I happen to play open G# flutes ( I always have) perhaps in 4000,player might use this system. I know Hubert Laws does and a few of the British classical players. My plying this instrument was by mistake and not by design. A buddy of mine who was in the school band got a flute for me. It just happened to be Open G#. I though all flutes were made that way. It is however, a system that I prefer over the standard one.
I was also wondering if you had any success in contacting anyone who might know the whereabouts of Squirrel Mosley (trumpet), Jimmy WIllis (alto sax) or multi-instrumentalist Dennis Morphis.
Be well and hope to hear from you
Later,
Kenny
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