POSTED ON DECEMBER 1, 2010 BY THE INDEPENDENT EAR Guitarist-educator, and now author, Pascal (Bokar) Thiam aims to broaden the historical timeline of blues and jazz well beyond the romantic notion of ‘up the Mississippi from New Orleans…’ Though I had the pleasure of spinning Pascal’s in-performance ’07 CD Savannah Jazz Club on radio, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him until about two months ago at the first in a series of book signing & reading events for African Rhythms: the…

April 7th marks the centennial celebration of the incomparable Billie Holiday. Her genius remains the foundation for jazz vocalists and her legacy reigns supreme.

The Swing Song Tradition 

By the early 1930's, the Jazz Age was coming to an end. The 2/4, oomp-pah rhythm of the 1920's was giving way to the smoother, more elastic rhythm of the Swing Era. Benny Goodman officially got the ball rolling at the Palomar; but the Jazz Age Orchestra had left a…

Friends.... please allow me to say, I am honored and blessed and overwhelmingly grateful to all the support you all showed me during my supremely intense kickstarter campaign..... which was SUCCESSFUL! This summer I am going to Europe to sing at the World Body Painting Festival in A…

Roy Eldridge indicated "Cuban" Bennett (from McDonald PA and Benny Carter's cousin) was an incredible trumpet player. Anyone who catches Roy's ear must have something to say and I wonder if anyone on the Pgh. Jazz Network ever heard him play (as he died in 1965) or has any extensive biographical data?

Right now....in a land known as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there sits, at her 12 year old desktop imac, a little phat girl who has dreamed of singing in Europe for the past 25 years. Since the birth of her dream, she has studied and made music with Pittsburgh jazz greats, ballet orchestra cellists, vocal teachers of great renown, medieval German bagpipers, Afro Cuban dance bands, Puerto Rican bomba bands, Egyptian classical and electronic composers, Middle Eastern master percussionists, Afro…

Pioneers of African American Entertainment in Pittsburgh

Prepared by Dr. Theodora D. Cotton *

We are indebted to Frank E. Bolden who graciously granted an interview on a Sunday evening for this information. Mr. Bolden, who is an authority on African American history in Western Pennsylvania, is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical commission and the History and Landmarks Foundation. Born and educated in Western…

Last night, (February, 14th) Fred Staton celebrated his 100th birthday!  WOW!  Not only was Fred present at Local 802 to enjoy the celebration, he PLAYED! Happy 100th Birthday Fred Staton! 

Friends! I do not know how this has happened.... I have been told that time waits for no Mandee.... and while that was fine by me, as I believe that time is cyclical, everything just comes around and as long as you know the chords, the improv will fall in and around as it desires.... but sometimes you must not ignore the call to get yourself to the gig on time, and it is in…

I would like to thank Tony Campbell and Jazz Surgery for the opportunity this past Saturday at The Village Tavern. Two years ago I did not play an instrument. Six months ago I did not own a jazz tune. Tony invited me to sit-in on the drums and we played Moanin' by the late great Art Blakey. What a thrill playing with such great musicians. If you have not been to The Village Tavern to see Tony and the band on Saturdays from 5 - 7:30 please get there. Also, thanks to drummer Kevin Hindes for…

East Liberty's Wall of Fame Monday, May 07, 2001 Here are some notable people from "Greater East Liberty" whose photos are part of the East Liberty Gallery of Stars collection at the East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce. (The full list is on the East Liberty branch library Web site: http://www.clpgh.org/clp/EL/elib.html.) 1. George S. Kaufman (1889-1961) -- One of the most successful Broadway playwright-directors of the 20th century.…

Milton Glaser - Science

By PAM BELLUCK

The other day, Paul Simon was rehearsing a favorite song: his own “Darling Lorraine,” about a love that starts hot but turns very cold. He found himself thinking about a three-note rhythmic pattern near the end, where Lorraine (spoiler alert) gets sick and dies.…

Happy Birthday Roy Eldridge! January 30th marks Roy Eldridge's 104th birthday. Roy's music will be heard ALL DAY, Friday 1/30 on WKCR.org

Roy's "Lost" Hurricane Sandy Recordings Addendum: You may recall my previous post (10/8/2014), regarding the loss of Roy Eldridge's vast jazz memorabilia and recording collection; the contents of his basement, being thrown into a dumpster, discovered and retrieved, only to become water damaged from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. Phil…

  I Dreamt you were looking at me fro you window( Difference Inversión Polar II Lightin II Rotatin MirroIV Pentagon

light)

The path of Melody (…

And here in Pittsburgh, and Ferguson, and Staten island and all over the world....

(If you are not familiar with the song referenced in my subject liner, please refer to the great Nina Simone's song "Mississippi Goddam": http://youtu.be/hBiAtwQZnHs )



Friends, as an artist and musician I long have enjoyed the blessings of working with thoughtful, beautiful, inspired and learned people, many of whom have been people of…