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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INTERVIEW
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David Vergato
- Male
- Charlotte, NC
- United States
- Blog Posts
- Events
- Groups
- Photos
- Photo Albums
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David Vergato's Page
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Profile Information
- Favorite website
- http://www.talkbass.com
- Pittsburgh Connection
- I grew up in the suburbs east of Pittsburgh (Penn Township, Plum, Murrysville, Monroeville). My family owned a large flower shop chain in Pittsburgh, Shackelford's & Maxwell's Flowers, although they sold the business years ago. When I was a kid, I took trumpet lessons from Gene Laus. Later I started playing bass and studied with Jim Held, Jeff Mangone, and my #1 mentor of all time Dave Pellow. I played at the Duquesne City Music Center Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jim Guerra and attended jazz camps and guitar & bass workshops in the summer at Duquesne University. I played on the worship team at Pittsburgh East Full Gospel Church (now called Pittsburgh East Community Church) in Plum, and was in the band at Penn-Trafford High School. After high school I entered the jazz program at the University of Miami, where I met fellow Pittsburghers Derrick Finch and Alyssa Ruschak. I now reside in Charlotte, North Carolina where I teach and play music for a living. One day I hope to move back home to Pittsburgh and get a master's degree from Duquesne University or CMU.
- Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
- Dave Pellow, Don Aliquo, Joe Negri, Gene Ludwig, Paul Thompson, Eric DeFade, Sean Jones, Poogie Bell, Jeff Mangone, Dave Budway, Bud Kelly, Chris Belin
- Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
- WDUQ Pittsburgh
- Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
- The Balcony (now closed)
- About Me:
- Professional music teacher and bass player in Charlotte, NC, with Pittsburgh area roots. One day I'll be back!
- Website:
- http://www.myspace.com/daveaceofbass
- Artist or Fan
- artist, industry professional
© 2024 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
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Welcome David,
Thank you for joining!
Feel free to check out my New SPRING Album!
Peace, Luiz
We are so glad you found us. Derrick seems to be directing people to the network still. I invite you to visit his page which will remain here as long as we are here. You can leave a message which his friends and family will see. I'm sure you have many friends here already who will be glad to re-connect with you. Thank you for joining and please add me as a friend.