Howdy,

My first blog post on the "Network", whoo hoo! (thank you, thank you very much) Just wanted to make sure everybody knows about this new grant program, Advancing the Black Arts in Pittsburgh. Obviously, jazz qualifies! I think it's exciting and important for us to help this program succeed by stepping up to the plate, submitting strong applications to match strong programs.

First deadline is February 14. Check out the info here:…

By the way, I was invited to take part with my work in an international mural which will tour around the world since September 11, 2011. It will travel from Ontario to Italy (Rome), stopping at New York,New Jersey,  somewhere in Florida, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, France and the UK.



Each artist will be assigned a piece of the giant puzzle to make use of a specific colour range and then the…

My name is Christopher Spencer. My father was a Jazz Musician in Pittsburgh named Scipio Spencer. He passed away in 1997, at that time I had moved to Houston Tx. Im trying to find out information on just how involved and what impact my Father had on the Jazz scene in the city. My father played the piano, and I have always wanted to follow in his footsteps in that area. If there is anyone out there that may have known my father and might can give me some insight on this matter please contact…

This piece was posted on my friend Dr. Mark Anthony Neal's blog and posted to the Soul Patrol Daily Digest which I receive

Dr. Billy Taylor: You Now Know How It Feels to be Free

by Onaje Allan Gumbs

http://newblackman.blogspot.com/2010/12/onaje-allan-gumbs-reflects-on-dr-billy.html



Dr. Billy Taylor was a mentor and a…

There are two excellent pieces about Dr. Taylor. I had written a piece about him in the Courier but can't locate it at the moment. I'm also very surprised that no one up to this point has written anything about him on this Jazz Network. Shame on you all.

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This following article was sent to me today by my friends Mr. Fred Logan and Mensah Wali. It is by Stanley Crouch who I usually don't agree with but I'm in agreement here.

Billy…

Dec. 7, 1950 - Dec. 15, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

By Dan Majors, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette squirrel

Whether it was as the man blowing the horn on the record or the mentor bringing the talent out of a young musician, John Clifford Mosley Jr. made his mark.

You can still hear him. Listen to the flute being played during the opening of The Isley…

THE NEW MUSIC i ADDED (i DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES ON,. IS FROM MY NEW COMPLETED AND NOT RELEASED CD "A TEASTE OF ANNIE" IT WAS ORIGINNALLY INTENDED TO BE A LOCAL SHOWCASE, DUE TO MY SPARSE GIG CALENDAR, BUT I HAVE BEEN GETTING A GREAT RESPONSE TO THE FIRST CUTS, SO I HAD IT MASTRERED AND I WILL MOST LIKELY PUT IT ON I TUN ES AS SOON AS I CHECK OUT THE CR'/S ETC.

MEANWHILE, I COULDN'T THINK OF ANY OTHERS i WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH! THAN MY PEERS.

Oir el Silencio ( Watercolor II- (Lighten II Marble II-Reflection )…

Today I got this email from Ken and Felicia. Very sad news.

My friend, mentor and fellow board member, saxophonist Frank McGowan has passed. Mr. Frank was very suportive in my efforts to have music in the communities and came to every Jazz Fan Appreciation event he could make it too. My last time seeing him play was at this year's Kenny Fisher Memorial Jam Session. And what a smokin' session that was! You had to be there.

He was also very commited to the music as most of you…

Our city's jazz legacy is well-established. Today, being more specific, Richard Frushell honors players of the 'big wood' -- the keepers of the rhythm that Pittsburgh has produced in multitudes

Sunday, December 12, 2010 By Richard Frushell Stacy Innerst/Post-Gazette

Scotty Hood, an exceptional jazz bassist from Green Tree, died in October. His passing led me to think that the second generation of fine Pittsburgh jazz bassists is…

I'll soon be e-sending you photos I took many years ago in Pitt. on "The Avenue"/outside The Hurricane,w/Lou Donaldson,Peck Morrison,Jimmy Johnson(Cootie Williams band),etc;also,I took photos of Annie Ross & her son,Kenny Clarke(Spearman) Jr.,w/Mr. & Mrs. Charles Spearman,brother & sister-in-law of Kenny"Klook" Clarke.

Gary I want to congratulate you on taking over the Miller band I don't know if you remember playing in Christ Methodist church with me my son your dad on piano. Your dad was mybest friend and we talked for hours on the phone and had breakfast together many times. I have also had lunch with your brother Bill and Nancy si I have kept incontact with your family for the most part. I played in the Miller band for a few months in 1975 until i moved to Virginia for my day job. By the way I have a…

Time: December 18, 2010 from 3pm to 6:30pm

Location: Thunderbird Cafe / Lounge

Organized By: Kevin Amos

Event Description:

Start your Saturday off with a Jazz session at the Thunderbird Cafe/Lounge from 3-6:30PM. Now a weekly event, it's the perfect way to get your musical groove on. Our next session is today, December 11 and on December 18th. Cover is $4 fothe general public, $3 for all Jazz Network members and $1 for musicians sitting in

Hi everyone. Next…

I know many of you have met Mr. Moody over the years. I did on many occasions when he would come for the Pitt Jazz Seminar. I enjoyed talking to him and loved to hear his stories. We will miss this giant of a man.

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For over six decades, saxophone master James Moody has serenaded lovers with his signature song Moody's Mood for Love an…