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.
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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 Roberta Windle on October 30, 2010 at 2:34pm
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What a "SUPER TALENTED" group of gentlemen! Congrats and well deserved.
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Comment by Amanda on December 1, 2008 at 2:29pm
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Congratulations to all of you!
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Comment by Linda Marcus on December 1, 2008 at 12:02am
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Thank you all for your gifts of music!
John Wilson, I teach "Lyricists of Tin Pan Alley' for OSHER at PITT...I know how much you are beloved by all of your students and all of us who continue to be inspired by you!
Linda Marcus
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Comment by Kathleen Gorman on November 30, 2008 at 7:06am
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Congratulations on your 2008 Legends of Jazz Award! Wonderful to see you being celebrated in the field to which you have contributed so much. Continued success and music, and all the best.
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Comment by Phil The Knight on November 29, 2008 at 9:18am
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Nelson,
An award with this prestige only comes to those who truly deserve it. The love of music is only part of it. Knowing you from our from our messages here, I can honestly say Nelson that I believe that it is what is in your heart as well that counts and the combination of the two places you in a much higher catagory than "Legend".
Thank you for your integrity in bringing us all together here at the PJN.
Congratulations on the up of one,
Phil
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Comment by Donna Bailey on November 29, 2008 at 3:43am
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Congratulations to all of you fabulous musicians.
Keep making beautiful music for us to enjoy.
Donna Bailey
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Comment by Eugene Woody Smith on November 28, 2008 at 10:17pm
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Just wonderful seeing them altogaether!!
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Comment by Phat Man Dee on November 28, 2008 at 9:52pm
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How hot is that photo?? Its so smoking I am afraid if I leave it on my screen anylonger, I'll blow out my computer!! What an awesome line up of cats!
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Comment by Debi Arnett on November 28, 2008 at 9:15pm
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Congratulations to all the awardees! You gentlemen are an institution in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. I only wish we had some wonderful venues for you and your up and coming musical counterparts to perform in (and get paid a living at) in the Pittsburgh area. For a place so rich in Jazz history it is really a dissapointment when we have no real entertainment opportunities for you and those of us who appreciate jazz. I am sorry Gene Ludwig could not attend this photo session and I wish him a speedy recovery. You have all given me and my friends many enjoyable hours of entertainment in your lives. Maybe you can instigate a re-emergence of Pittsburgh as a jazz cultural mecca. Happy new year!
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Comment by Marshall McDonald on November 28, 2008 at 8:10pm
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Pittsburgh-Home of the Jazz Masters---Nice Nelson, great photo! Keep on swingin..
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