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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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
Kevin Amos's Blog (65)
New Music from Archie Shepp
Added by Kevin Amos on January 22, 2014 at 5:43am — No Comments
Joe Evans RIP
From soul Patrol.....
Any of you familiar with Joe Evans?
PRESS RELEASE A Wonderful Life - January 20, 2014
Joseph James Evans, age 97, of Richmond, Virginia departed this life
January 17, 2014. Born on October 7, 1916 in Bonifay, Florida, he grew
up in Pensacola where his love of music was fostered. As a young man, he
moved to New York City where his professional career began to flourish.
Between 1939 and 1965, "Joe" Evans performed…
Added by Kevin Amos on January 22, 2014 at 5:29am — 5 Comments
Each One Teach One Radio and Music Conference 2013
This is Pittsburgh's one and only home grown music-tech- radio conference. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
The Each One Teach One music and radio conference brings together incredible array of musicians, arts advocates, policymakers, technologists, media representatives and industry figures to discuss issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. Your participation in these conversations has been crucial. Our past conferences were held on the…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on July 2, 2013 at 3:27pm — No Comments
CITY OF ASYLUM/PITTSBURGH PRESENTS 2012 JAZZ POETRY EVENT
CITY OF ASYLUM/PITTSBURGH PRESENTS
ITS 8TH ANNUAL FREE JAZZ POETRY CONCERT
Featuring
The Oliver Lake Steel Quartet with Meshell Ndegeocello
& 4-time slam champ, Patricia Smith
Jazz-Poetry is a great concert and a unique event that has begun to attract international attention. The Concert brings poets…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on August 23, 2012 at 4:05pm — No Comments
Is The RIAA Dying A Slow Painful Death?
http://www.prefixmag.com/news/is-the-riaa-dying-a-slow-painful-death/681
67/
Is The RIAA Dying A Slow Painful Death?
7:32 p.m. . August 20, 2012 . by Sasha Geffen
If you've ever silently wished death upon the Recording Industry
Association of America, your prayers may be poised to come true. The
anti-piracy giant that went after torrenters with…
Added by Kevin Amos on August 23, 2012 at 3:55pm — No Comments
Historic weekend brings musicians together
Added by Kevin Amos on June 12, 2012 at 5:42am — 4 Comments
Chuck Austin passes
Chuck Austin
Founder and President of the African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh, an executive board member of the Pittsburgh Musician's Union, and a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame, Chuck Austin was a versatile musician as well as a strong advocate for the preservation of jazz history. He was even honored by The City of Pittsburgh when February 8, 2011 was proclaimed to be Chuck Austin Day.
Pittsburgh musician Chuck Austin passed away 5:35am on May…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on May 28, 2012 at 3:47pm — 7 Comments
41st Annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert
Hi everyone!! The first weekend in November is one of the musical highlights of the year when the University of Pittsburgh presents the internationally acclaimed Jazz seminar and concert.
This is a unique event because no other college or university does this IN THE WORLD.
Here is the press release for the event this year.
***
One of the region’s premier jazz events celebrates 41 years this…
Added by Kevin Amos on October 18, 2011 at 2:26am — No Comments
I'M BACK...HERE'S MY TAKE
For the past few months I have been away from the Jazz Network. I have not posted comments, photos, videos or events.
I have been making observations however at events and talking with music fans and musicians. People have been asking me why I left the network. It's personal. Our lives take strange twists and turns and that is what I have been experiencing. No ill fellings directed toward anyone.
When commenting about the turmoil in the Pittsburgh market…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on September 6, 2011 at 12:23am — No Comments
3rd Annual Each One, Teach One Music and Radio Conference,June 11, 2011
2011 Each One Teach One 3rd Music and Radio Conference
Sponsored by: New Pittsburgh Courier, Soul-Patrol.com, Arts Greenhouse, Umoja African Arts,
Black Music Education Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Conference Coordinator, 412-506-0206
Kevin Amos is assembling together once again a dynamic group of folks from international, local and national levels that he has been associated with throughout his 31 years in broadcasting and the arts.…
Added by Kevin Amos on September 6, 2011 at 12:00am — No Comments
Jazz on the Radio
Here's my take on this.
First of all Jazz radio is not dead. Some programmers lack immagination and can't program their way out of a paper bag. Those individuals are killing the culture and the music that surrounds it.It's about the music...not the station. Stations come and go. So do formats. When it comes to who is on the air it is not what you know, but who you know. And yes, there is an uneven playing field.
I have been able to successfully program Jazz on commercial and…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on April 12, 2011 at 8:03pm — No Comments
Jazz Event No More at Thunderbird Cafe
Today I received a note from John Pergal at Thunderbird Cafe.
I was informed that our event this Saturday was cancelled, thus ending our run there since November.
Right now I feel very let down by a lot of folks.
I was informed that our event this Saturday was cancelled, thus ending our run there since November.
Right now I feel very let down by a lot of folks.
Added by Kevin Amos on March 24, 2011 at 12:54am — No Comments
Melvin Sparks passes
I just received word that the Soul-Jazz legend has passed. Will update as I receive more info.
Added by Kevin Amos on March 17, 2011 at 12:39am — No Comments
More on Luther DeJaurnette
Some reflections on Luther DeJaurnette from interview with Barry Levenson
"Luther is one of the greatest musicians, not just guitarists, I learned more from him just about music than everything I have learned put together!"
"He BLEW MY MIND! He started playing all that stuff and I almost started to cry...I laid down my guitar and said, "I quit, I don't know anything, I wanna know what you're doing and I don't care what it takes!" [laughs] I spent the next two or three… Continue
"Luther is one of the greatest musicians, not just guitarists, I learned more from him just about music than everything I have learned put together!"
"He BLEW MY MIND! He started playing all that stuff and I almost started to cry...I laid down my guitar and said, "I quit, I don't know anything, I wanna know what you're doing and I don't care what it takes!" [laughs] I spent the next two or three… Continue
Added by Kevin Amos on March 11, 2011 at 9:58pm — No Comments
Pittsburgh Jazz Fan Appreciation Event may lose current venue unless numbers increase
Most of you here know how I have supported artists and the music over the 30 + years I have been on the radio, MC'ed, produced and coordinated events.All that and writing articles as well.
Our weekly open stage Jazz jam session is in trouble for lack of support.
Please don't ignore this note. A couple of days ago I got this from the co-owner of the Thunderbird Cafe....
"To be honest I'm not sure how much longer the whole jazz appreciation thing is going…
Added by Kevin Amos on March 5, 2011 at 2:59pm — No Comments
DR KING SPEAKS ABOUT JAZZ
I know a lot of you have probably read this before but I wanted to post it today. Remember...to fulfill the dream you have to live up to and help keep the promises you make.
Kevin
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Opening speech at the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival
Humanity and the Importance of Jazz
"God has brought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his
creatures with the capacity to create - and from this capacity…
Added by Kevin Amos on January 18, 2011 at 12:30am — No Comments
Dr. Billy Taylor: You Know How It Feels To Be Free
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…
Added by Kevin Amos on January 4, 2011 at 3:00am — No Comments
Dr. Billy Taylor RIP
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.
**
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…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on January 4, 2011 at 2:38am — No Comments
Frank McGowan makes his transition
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…
ContinueAdded by Kevin Amos on December 15, 2010 at 12:00am — No Comments
Latest Blog Posts
Most Popular Blog Posts
- Eric Kloss...why is he the forgotten man?
- Anywhere but the Burgh. Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten at the Keswick Theater, 8-19-08
- John Cephas passes
- What is going to be done about the not-Jazz/ junk/spam/non-music related context on this network?
- Is The RIAA Dying A Slow Painful Death?
- Don't worry about the naysayers and those who try to put you down.....Do what you do best
- Chuck Austin passes
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