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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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin

MARY LOU WILLIAMS

INTERVIEW

In Her Own Words

PITTSBURGH JAZZ CHANNEL - 24/7

PITTSBURGH MUSIC HISTORY

THE PERIODIC TABLE OF JAZZ HISTORY

PITTSBURGH JAZZ CHANNEL

PITTSBURGH MUSIC - CLP

OPEN SKY JAZZ

PITTSBURGH- THEN and NOW

RE-KONCEPTION RADIO

Featured Blog Posts (734)

Manners

I received a response to an email i sent to someone that I regarded as a friend. i received an answer, but this person was very rude and condescending to me and i was quite upset. i know we all do things like that when there are other things happen in in our lives that may put us in a bad mood . I have been guilty of taking it out on someone. But I try not to do this. We are all in this for a common cause and iif someone wanted my help, I would help!! Geez, it's hard try to make a living as a… Continue

Added by Anne Annie Friedland on September 16, 2009 at 5:05am — 5 Comments

WHO PAYS PERFORMANCE ROYALTIES AND WHO DOESN'T?

August 4, 2009

Radio Free America

By NANCY SINATRA

Los Angeles

WHEN I hear great American standards on the radio, I think of all the songwriters, artists and musicians whom my father, brother and I have worked with over the years. It reminds me that every recording has two parts, the composition and the performance. It also reminds me how many wonderful artists and musicians have not been paid fairly for their work.

Songwriters and publishers are… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 4, 2009 at 10:00pm — 2 Comments

PATTY PEARCE - PJN MEMBER AND DEVOTED JAZZ FAN PASSES FROM LIFE

Patty passed away July 15. Her memorial service is Saturday, July 18. Her obit is in the PG today. We would love to have you attend. Dave Zubrow, 412-260-012. Also please feel free to pass the news and invitation along to others. PEARCE PATTY (McCURDY) Age 62, on Wed. July 15, 2009. Beloved mother of Robert (Jill) Kruse; step mother of Erin and Brett (Marlena) Pearce; grandmother of Maxwell, Anna and Harrison Kruse; loving companion of… Continue

Added by Bettoman on July 17, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

OUR BRAINS on MUSIC: THE SCIENCE *

NEW YORK TIMES

June 30, 2009

Television Review | 'Nova: Musical Minds'

By MIKE HALE

“Musical Minds,” the season premiere of “Nova” on PBS, is based on the neurologist Oliver Sacks’s most recent book, “Musicophilia,” a collection of case studies of people whose brains have unusual relationships to music, cases in which, as Dr. Sacks puts it, “music gets them going to an extraordinary degree.” A one-hour program can’t approach the depth and texture of… Continue

Added by Bettoman on June 30, 2009 at 9:42pm — 1 Comment

URGENT-seeking 1980s hiphop artists

I am producing a video for the August Wilson Center and need to find the following folks to get their permission to use WQED's Black Horizons' performances....I would REALLY appreciate any info on any of them. Please email maiaharris@earthlink if you have any thoughts about anyone who knows how to get them now:

Tuffy Tuff

Kingsley Robonic Ticktockers

Bridge the Gap

some unidentified rappers, DJs, and breakdancers --i have posted a video of everyone. If you can watch the… Continue

Added by Maia Harris on June 13, 2009 at 1:56pm — 2 Comments

IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP BULLETIN

We are approaching 1300 members and at our present rate of growth we will reach 2000 members by year end. We thank each of you for joining and giving this network a chance to demonstrate the collective and individual power of social networking for the benefit of the artistic community and its fans and consumers. Many of you have not ventured to explore the capabilities at your fingertips for various reasons and we encourage you to… Continue

Added by Bettoman on June 10, 2009 at 10:15pm — 3 Comments

IT'S TIME FOR SMOOTHAHEAD TO TAKE CENTER STAGE

Hello fellow Jazz lovers, I believe it's time that we start to take a serious look at this concept called SmoothAhead. I know some people may think the name is a little corny or not easy to say, but get pass the name and think about what it represents. With the demise of so many Smooth Jazz radio stations across the country and only a few NPR stations at all, wouldn't it be great if we had stations that played both genres. They could rotate (Traditional or Straight-Ahead) with (Contemporary or… Continue

Added by Living Legends JaZzabrations on May 24, 2009 at 7:00pm — 5 Comments

Death of the Library

Today I was given what could be the most frightening information I could ever get hold of in the respect of our independence as individual Americans. The Pennsylvania state budget proposal ( S.B.) 850 has planned to heavily cut state funding to the Greatest device we have as a Free Nation, our libraries. As this Nation’s recession digs deeper and everyone of us feel the pain, our lawmaking body tries to find ways to slash costs. Those governing the budget have now set their sights on education… Continue

Added by CWR (Fan of Culture) on May 21, 2009 at 5:19am — 6 Comments

Jazz trombonist Randy Purcell made mark locally, nationally

Buzz up! By Bob Karlovits, TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Photos

Randy Purcell About the writer Bob Karlovits can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7852. Randy Purcell attacked jazz performance and education with the same zest that marked his heyday as a powerhouse trombonist with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra. Mr. Purcell, 62, a mainstay in the Pittsburgh jazz scene for many years, died of complications from… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on May 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Obituary: Randy Purcell / Internationally known jazz trombonist

Died May 16, 2009 Tuesday, May 19, 2009 By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Randy Purcell, with his trombone.

From his Brookline home, where the music never stopped, trombone player Randy Purcell blew his way onto the international scene with his loud and aggressive musical style, becoming ranked among the top dozen trombonists across the globe. Mr. Purcell died Saturday night of complications from diabetes. He was 62.… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on May 20, 2009 at 3:54pm — 3 Comments

RIP Randy

So sad to hear of the passing of Randy Purcell.
We all knew he was sick for a long time, but the news is still tragic.
We lost another legend today.
I guess Maynard was saving a seat in his band up there...

Added by Lou Spagnola on May 17, 2009 at 10:00pm — 10 Comments

MOTHERS DAY

I have written and produced a song which honors Mothers Day. It is my hope that all Pittsburgh Jazz Network members will take the time to download this song to your pages, and share it with your children, families and friends. There is no charge; it is my gift to you regarding this important day.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL,

Kennard

Added by Kennard Roosevelt Williams on April 24, 2009 at 9:00pm — 1 Comment

MEMBERSHIP ISSUE REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

As we are approaching the 1200 member level, it has come to my attention that our recent practice of e-blasting current live local events has been both favorably and unfavorably received. Since this network is about values (personal, professional and artistic), I will try to address both the positive and negative feedback I have received thus far and invite any and all comments in response so that we can best learn how to serve the membership.… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on May 1, 2009 at 4:02am — 7 Comments

William L. "Speigal" Gay passes at age 57

On April 18, 2009, William, age 57, of Pittsburgh. Beloved husband of Judith A. Baronio-Gay; father of Adora C. Gay; grandfather of Doricka D., Tyrone R., Mahogany E., Chanelle M. and Jemel A.; brother of Pastor Gary R. Gay and Gerald Gay; nephew of Nelda Stokes and Florence Nelson; also survived by other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 pm at the New Hope Baptist Church, Sixth St., Braddock, where the funeral service will be… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 23, 2009 at 5:28am — 1 Comment

A Jones for Music - SEAN JONES

Printed from the Pittsburgh City Paper website: http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws POSTED ON APRIL 16, 2009:

URL for this story: http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.wshttp://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A61874 By Mike Shanley "Caravan" is the kind of song that can start a fire at a jam session. Over the years, drummers have played the Duke Ellington tune with a pile-driving rhythm, the tension breaking for a brief moment… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 17, 2009 at 6:22am — 3 Comments

New group

I'm forming a new limitless jazz fusion group. The current line up consists of myself on drums, a bass and a guitar.

We're seeking a strong piano/key player with an aptitude for both writing and improvisation.

And.. A female vocalist

Many many influences: Christian McBride, The Bad Plus, Matthew Garrison, Stefon Harris, Roger Humphries/RH Factor....etc...as well as other genres.

This project could and probably will head in any and all directions... jazz, nu/jazz,… Continue

Added by Adam Henderson on April 17, 2009 at 12:17am — 2 Comments

Jody Jaress in "Chain Link" award winning film now available on DVD!!

Hello my new PJN friends!! I don't know if this is 'where' I would post a shameful plug or not. I'm new to these sites. I hope it's okay...and sorry it's not music oriented, but .... If you haven't seen this award winning film, "CHAIN LINK" starring Mark Irvingsen,

Jody Jaress, Jim Storm, and many other amazing actors, now you can!! Our theatrical run in LA, NY, Philly, Arizona, Florida, etc. is over and now "CHAIN LINK" will be available on DVD!! Rent, buy... pick up or… Continue

Added by Jody Jaress on April 8, 2009 at 8:13am — No Comments

IF YOU ARE A JAZZ FAN, YOU HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY A PITTSBURGHER.

In an era of world music, it is imperative that America's most important cultural contribution to the world… Jazz music… be preserved, taught, expounded, developed and commemorated. We have dedicated ourselves toward to recreating a physical and virtual context within which the above purpose can be fulfilled in Pittsburgh, one of the most fertile breeding grounds for icons of the culture. A state-of-the-art space of historical or… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 8, 2009 at 3:00am — 6 Comments

The Next Page: Pittsburgh's jazz mystique -- the next generation steps up *

Dwayne Dolphin, Howie Alexander and Sean Jones -- three jazz artists tending the Pittsburgh flame

Sunday, April 05, 2009

By Steve Hallock

Stacy Innerst

The house band at CJ's in the Strip District had just finished off a rousing "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" to whoops from the packed room at a recent Thursday night jam session. Roger Humphries turned over his drum set to a reedy kid named Joey Sailor as the musicians launched Miles Davis' "So… Continue

Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 5, 2009 at 8:39pm — 2 Comments