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.
WELCOME!
Groups
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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
2008 Pittsburgh Legends of Jazz Awardees
L-R: Dr. Nelson Harrison, Harold Betters, Joe Negri, Cecil Brooks II, Roger Humphries, Dr. John Wilson, Chuck Austin, Dr. James Johnson, Jr. (Eugene "Gene" Ludwig was also an awardee but was unable to attend the ceremony for health reasons.)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Comment
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Comment by Jack Bishop on November 28, 2008 at 7:44pm
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CONGRATULATIONS!! You all have been legends to me and I have learned so much from all of you. Keep on swinging. You are the beautiful people. Thank you.
Jack
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Comment by Janelle Burdell on November 28, 2008 at 7:20pm
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Still lookin' good gentlemen; and we KNOW you're still "...soundin' good" and swingin' hard! ;) Thank you for the music and your dedication to it. Congratulations! Much Love, -janelle
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Comment by Ed Skirtich on November 28, 2008 at 6:08pm
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Hi All Jazz Awardees,
Congratulations on all your achievements!
It has been a pleasure being your "student" and "colleague" and "fan" to all of you.
I also enjoyed performing with most of you too.
Harold Betters, i used that "Here We Go Steelers" chant you created at an elementary school and it was a big hit.
Joe Negri, one of your students, Valentino Vasquez, is doing very well at our Jazz Workshop, Inc. program.
Also, I got into music by watching you on "Mister Rogers Neighborhood."
Roger Humphries, even though we disagree about jam set philosophies, you really know how to swing hard and can play the drum set like no other. Thank you for always being cordial to me and your kids at CAPA have always been a joy to hang out with. It's also an honor to follow in your footsteps at Jazz Workshop, Inc.
Dr. John Wilson,
I thank you for those wonderful experiences at Duquesne University's jazz camps.
Chuck Austin,
Thank you for your inspiration and knowledge and particapation in my jounalism pursuits.
Doc Nelson Harrison,
You are aways a lot of fun to be with and to gig with.
I love gaining knowlrdge and wisdom from you.
May you all have many more years of swinging and jazz education!
Musically,
Ed Skirtich
Artistic Direcor/Jazz Workshop, Inc.
ejskirtich@comcast.net
(412) 422-4149 (H)
(412) 841-8046 (C)
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Comment by SANDY STALEY on November 28, 2008 at 5:28pm
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SO MANY INNOVATORS OF JAZZ, INTERNATIONALLY, CAME FROM PGH...FORTUNATELY, MANY
EQUALLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE REMAINED IN PGH. TO SHARE THEIR TALENTS & TEACH OTHERS TOO.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXTREMELY PROUD TO SAY I AM FROM PGH. GREAT PICTURE TOO. MY
BEST WISHES ALSO FOR GENE'S RECOVERY. (I CALL HIM COUNT LUDWIG)......
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Comment by Jim Self on November 28, 2008 at 4:41pm
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Pittsburgh is indeed a great American Jazz center in large part to the talents and hard work of these gentlemen. Congratulations to all.
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Comment by Gary Walker on November 28, 2008 at 4:29pm
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Congratulations to all of you Harold Betters from my home town of Connellsville Pa. thank you for giving me the gigs to get the cash to head for LA I came to him he had no job to offer but he created one for me to get that plane ticket . Roger H. thanks for all the good times and putting me on the path to LA weather you remember doing so or not you told me it was time to make a move to New York or LA I took your advice. Nelson it was always a pleasure hitting the sessions with you, Gene Ludwig man always loved hitting with you I hope all will pray for your health recovery, Love Pittsburgh gary
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Comment by Diva JC on November 28, 2008 at 4:27pm
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Nelson, triumphant! You deserve the accollades.
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Comment by Eric Ross on November 28, 2008 at 3:12pm
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Hello Dr. Nelson: congratulations to each. It's good to see these artists getting some of the recognition they richly deserve.
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Comment by David Budway on November 28, 2008 at 2:38pm
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I couldn't think of a greater group of artists to be honored! Congratulations!!
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Comment by Joan P Dickerson on November 28, 2008 at 2:12pm
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Once you include Gene Ludwig with that group...I'd have to say that's who I would have picked.
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