Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
PITTSBURGH JAZZ
Roger Humphries
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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Drew Nicholas's Page
Latest Activity
Marta Graciela Bressi left a comment for Drew Nicholas"DearDrew,
Dear ,I´d really appreciate it if you could take the time to look at my work and leave your impressions here or in the guestbook on my homepage -http://www.miartemartagracielabressi.webs.com/- where there are more samples of…"
Ralph Lamar Smith left a comment for Drew Nicholas"Hey Bro
Hope your film and all other endeavors get off the ground smoothly!
Peace Smid"
Garl Germany III left a comment for Drew Nicholas"Hey Drew
I am just getting your message send me an email ggermany3@yahoo.com"
Jay Harmon commented on Drew Nicholas's blog post Casting Pittsburgh Jazz Film"Drew
This sound interesting,as I play sax and have the music.How can I find out more about this"
Drew Nicholas commented on Drew Nicholas's blog post Casting Pittsburgh Jazz Film"I want to clarify the Charlie character. I'm looking for a MUSICIAN to come in with original work. This music does not have to be COMPOSED for the film, just can't be music that we don't have the rights to. As for the acting aspect of…"
"Hi Jess! Its good to be on this site! Please stop by and check out my resume, music and photos! Hope you will enjoy my gift of music and the other talented artists on this site! Take care & continued success to you! Imani Zubeh
Nice movie…"
Drew Nicholas commented on Drew Nicholas's blog post Casting Pittsburgh Jazz Film"well basically on the age front we're going to have to go with who we have, so it could be 20s it could be 30s. Obviously we aren't looking to go too far up there, but if you are interested you can come in and read. Also there is a female…"
Azure Montaig commented on Drew Nicholas's blog post Casting Pittsburgh Jazz Film"The ages of the actors are not mentioned, but I'm assuming they are twenty-something. Darn! I have 35 years of acting experience & much more in singing of course. Darn again!"
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Casting for Jazz Film
Sway: a street performer with higher aspirations is struggling to find an audience in a world of which he has lost touch. This seclusion affects his home life, as much as it does his inspiration, and he soon finds his life a physical and emotional mess. His only option is to find his true self, and believe in it, or move on to another way of life.
Charlie Sparks: Antagonist
He is the crowd-pleasing leader of the famous Charlie Sparks Band, which is the physical representation of all that Sway wants in music, but not necessarily on a personal level.
*Need to be able to play/ compose modern “big band/ swing.”
*Also looking for Band Members*
Contact:
Drew 267.377.6476
abnicho@pointpark.edu
Sway: a street performer with higher aspirations is struggling to find an audience in a world of which he has lost touch. This seclusion affects his home life, as much as it does his inspiration, and he soon finds his life a physical and emotional mess. His only option is to find his true self, and believe in it, or move on to another way of life.
Charlie Sparks: Antagonist
He is the crowd-pleasing leader of the famous Charlie Sparks Band, which is the physical representation of all that Sway wants in music, but not necessarily on a personal level.
*Need to be able to play/ compose modern “big band/ swing.”
*Also looking for Band Members*
Contact:
Drew 267.377.6476
abnicho@pointpark.edu
Drew Nicholas's Blog
Casting Pittsburgh Jazz Film
Posted on September 2, 2009 at 4:59pm 6 Comments 0 Likes
Casting for Jazz Film
Sway: a street performer with higher aspirations is struggling to find an audience in a world of which he has lost touch. This seclusion affects his home life, as much as it does his inspiration, and he soon finds his life a physical and emotional mess. His only option is to find his true self, and believe in it, or move on to another way of life.
*looking for sax or trumpet
Abbey: Leading Lady (30’s)
She is both the voice of reason and… Continue
Sway: a street performer with higher aspirations is struggling to find an audience in a world of which he has lost touch. This seclusion affects his home life, as much as it does his inspiration, and he soon finds his life a physical and emotional mess. His only option is to find his true self, and believe in it, or move on to another way of life.
*looking for sax or trumpet
Abbey: Leading Lady (30’s)
She is both the voice of reason and… Continue
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 1:40pm on February 9, 2011, Marta Graciela Bressi said…
DearDrew,
Dear ,
I´d really appreciate it if you could take the time to look at my work and leave your impressions here or in the guestbook on my homepage -http://www.miartemartagracielabressi.webs.com/- where there are more samples of my digital art works, engravings and sculptures. The web site´s in Spanish but, if you want to read the texts in English, you can access my Livejournal:
http://pallasatheneas.livejournal.com
You can also visit the website we created with the Belgian jazz musician Dirk Schreurs to make our recent video art collaboration known to the world:
http://www.mindsofglass.webs.com/
¨
Minds of Glass: ¨All visual compositions perfectly match the soundtrack’s expressive aesthetics in terms of emotional content and artistic strength” (New York/Los Angeles Independent Media Board).
http://cminejazz.com/show/2010/11/12/minds-of-glass
http://martagracielabressistudios.webs.com/
Regards,
Marta
P.S.: Unfortunately, i' ve got too many contact on the network to add more.File free to add me if you want.
- At 1:00am on December 3, 2009, Ralph Lamar Smith said…
- Hey Bro
Hope your film and all other endeavors get off the ground smoothly!
Peace Smid
- At 10:02pm on October 3, 2009, Garl Germany III said…
- Hey Drew
I am just getting your message send me an email ggermany3@yahoo.com
- At 5:55am on September 9, 2009,
Imani Zubeh said…
- Hi Jess! Its good to be on this site! Please stop by and check out my resume, music and photos! Hope you will enjoy my gift of music and the other talented artists on this site! Take care & continued success to you! Imani Zubeh
Nice movie scenario! which I was so far away, I`d like to be involved. I wish you much success! IZ
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