John Levy, a bassist and pioneering talent manager whose roster included some of the biggest names in jazz, notably Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Cannonball Adderley and Wes Montgomery, died on Friday at his home in Altadena, Calif. He was 99.…
Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/building-today-for-tomorrow/x/267428
Pain Relief Beyond Belief
http://www.komehsaessentials.com/
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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Featured Blog Posts (736)
Another Great Story Out Of Pittsburgh
This was a great wedding in Pittsburgh
http://18ricco.newsvine.com/_news/2012/04/07/11076169-hip-hop-pioneer-marries-in-pittsburgh
Added by Ricco J.L.Martello on April 10, 2012 at 11:43pm — No Comments
my new residency!
I am currently playing an open-mic cabaret every Monday night from 8-10 at
Hambone's in Lawrenceville.
My new vocal trio, The Blue-hots, plays there periodically too.
Added by ian kane on April 14, 2012 at 5:55pm — No Comments
The African Origins of Jazz - Jazzed feature Article
The African Origins of Jazz
March 28, 2012
Lee Evans
By Lee Evans
In his brilliant 1968 analytical book on jazz, Early Jazz: Its Roots and Musical Development (Oxford University Press) author Gunther Schuller makes a very strong case for jazz’s African origins, writing that “the analytic study in this chapter [Chapter 1, pages 3-62] shows that every musical element – rhythm, harmony, melody, timbre, and the basic forms of jazz – is essentially African in background and…
ContinueAdded by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 6, 2012 at 5:08pm — No Comments
Sping Fest
Great people of Pittsburgh, come enjoy the great sounds of the,Red Velvet Jazz & R&B Band.
This band is great, we were so pleased with there performance at a recent fundraiser, we just had to have the band come back for another performance.
Contact info: Chief Promoter, Geronimo Pratt.…
ContinueAdded by geronimo pratt on March 31, 2012 at 5:00pm — No Comments
The Stanley Theater Story the Big Band Era and the Rock Era
Added by Paul Carosi on March 25, 2012 at 10:27pm — 4 Comments
The Passing of Blues Great Louisiana Red
Pittsburgh Music History
W.C. Handy award winning blues man Louisiana Red passed in away in Germany on February 25, 2012 at age 79. Born Iverson Minter he came to Pittsburgh to live with his grandmother after both of his parents died. His grandfather gave him the nickname Louisiana Red because of his fondness for hot sauce. Louisiana Red, who recorded 50 albums and is known by blues fans around the world, learned blues…
ContinueAdded by Paul Carosi on February 28, 2012 at 2:21pm — 1 Comment
HMBB Post concert reaction...
Great concert at St. Max! Standing "O". I will post audio clips as I mix the show. I can't wait to get a real CD of this group. Thanks to Ray Defade for his fantastic playing! Look for more show dates soon too. (Also on my FB page)...
Added by Devon Smeal on February 20, 2012 at 7:48pm — No Comments
Joe Westray web page
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh now has a web page devoted to bandleader and businessman Joe Westray (1913-1980).
http://www.carnegielibrary.org/research/music/pittsburgh/joewestray.html
Added by Timothy R. Williams on February 23, 2012 at 6:33pm — 3 Comments
Lena Horne found love at first sight in Pittsburgh
Added by Paul Carosi on February 19, 2012 at 11:03pm — No Comments
Reflections in Rhythm with Greg Bridges: Reflections with Ursula Rucker
Critically acclaimed spoken word artist Ursula Rucker has been opening ears with her thought provoking words for nearly 20 years. Greg Bridges recently had the pleasure of sitting down to speak with Ms. Rucker about her newest recording, She Said, as she shared her words on topics ranging from art to parenthood. Share in Greg's conversation with Ursula Rucker by following this link to his blog…
ContinueAdded by TDanyel on February 17, 2012 at 10:38pm — No Comments
Left Coast Jazz
Added by Yve Evans on February 16, 2012 at 2:01pm — No Comments
Did you know Rock Hall of Fame Honoree Art Rupe is frrom McKeesport?
Added by Paul Carosi on February 16, 2012 at 10:00pm — No Comments
What Hill District Church Played Host to Ma Rainey, Fats Waller, Ellington and more?
Pittsburgh Music History
Read about the Hill District church that was once a theater promoted as the "Palace of Pleasure". Part of T.O.B.A. circuit in the 1920s…
ContinueAdded by Paul Carosi on February 9, 2012 at 2:30pm — No Comments
Antoinette Manganas brand new release "CHAINS" is here!
Antoinette Manganas new CD "CHAINS", produced by Grammy winner Roger Hatfield is here! Check out a preview of the video "PRAY", a song in our "effort", to fight World Hunger , www.antoinettesings.net On sale at my shows and online!
Added by Antoinette Manganas on February 8, 2012 at 5:54pm — No Comments
Phat Man Dee w/ Pontani Sisters on Fri and w/ DJ Brother Strawberry on Sat!
Hey to the hey to the hey hey!
I just got back from California, my cousin Jon Alloway's movie preview was a huge success. Standing room only, the Amoeba and I got to see old friends, sing to hundreds of new ones I've never met before, outside in February, in the light of stars, under palm trees and in kissing distance of the Dog Heads and Pizza Dragon. The…
Continue
Added by Phat Man Dee on February 9, 2012 at 9:40pm — No Comments
Fancy Ass Records will be accepting artist's submissions in the next few weeks!
All self contained artist's that are interested in applying for label consideration, Fancy Ass Records of Nashville will be accepting artist's submissions for label consideration in the next few weeks. We will keep you updated.
Thank you,
Mandy Mason
Owner/President
Fancy Ass Records
http://fancyassrecords.com/
Thank you,
Mandy Mason
Owner/President
Fancy Ass Records
http://fancyassrecords.com/
Added by Fancy Ass Records on February 7, 2012 at 5:00pm — No Comments
Honoring the Incredibly talented Sophisticated Lady Phyllis Hyman
Pittsburgh Music History
Honoring the Incredibly Talented Sophisticated Lady
Phyllis Hyman
Read her story at Pittsburgh Music History…
ContinueAdded by Paul Carosi on February 7, 2012 at 1:43am — 2 Comments
Honoring One of the World's Great Song Stylists -Dakota Staton
Pittsburgh Music History
Honoring
Dakota Staton
One of the World's Great Song Stylists
Read her story at…
ContinueAdded by Paul Carosi on January 30, 2012 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments
Latest Record Label Out Of Nashville!
Historically, music labels have continuously taken advantage of artists, singer/songwriters and musicians. For those in the music industry, there are thousands of heart breaking stories of such famous and talented artists that end up with nothing due to bad label deals. Most musicians do not have degrees in business, and so the artist ends up in a vulnerable position and penniless. Fancy Ass Records is a label for the artist's! There is no fee to be sponsored by this label. Just because an… Continue
Added by Fancy Ass Records on January 26, 2012 at 7:01pm — 1 Comment
Latest Featured Blog Posts
- Celebrating Bassist Jeff Grubbs
- Homewood Jazz Workshop, Inc. article in Post Gazette
- The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America
- The Aurora Club, another piece of Pittsburgh jazz history, may soon be demolished
- PRE-ELECTION B-PEP CELEBRATION
- PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - 2024
- Street re-naming ceremony: From E. Jefferson Street to Roger Humphries Way
Most Popular Featured Blog Posts
- an important development
- Unsolved Mystery: So just who IS this fine brother in the photo with Marilyn Monroe (circa 1952)?
- Franco Harris eyes restoring the Historic Crawford Grill #2
- Joe Westray web page
- BRILLIANT YOUNG PIANIST DR. DERRICK R. FINCH DIES IN AUTO CRASH IN LOS ANGELES
- A Student’s Lessons with Joe Henderson
- Charlie Parker and the Meaning of Freedom
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