Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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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
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INTERVIEW
Citizans Live at the Wylie - 2026
Live Nation, Citizens, the Penguins and public officials joined together Thursday to celebrate the start of the project near PPG Paints Arena.
Citizens Live at The Wylie, a 98,500-square-foot live music venue, is set to open in the second half of 2026.
The venue’s name is taken from Wylie Avenue, famously known as the “crossroads of the world” for its rich legacy in American music. Citizens is the sponsor of the venue.
“We’re honored to create a space that amplifies the vibrant musical heritage of the Hill District and contributes fresh energy to its future,” said Tom Loudermilk, President of Live Nation Pittsburgh. “Citizens Live at The Wylie is designed to be a home for live music that honors this special neighborhood and connects it to the amazing and talented artists who will perform here.”
The arena will have a 4,000-seat capacity and provide a space to enjoy a mix of up-and-coming breakout artists as well as musicians looking for a more intimate setup, according to a release.
“For generations, artists from the Hill District inspired the world. Although we can’t change the past, we can honor those who came before – and build a better future for everyone,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. “Today is an important milestone in the redevelopment of the Lower Hill, due both to the project moving forward and to the reinvestment it will catalyze in the Greater Hill District. I want to acknowledge the community for their continued advocacy that development on the lower Hill site benefits the broader Hill District. I want to welcome Live Nation and Citizens to the Lower Hill, thank the Penguins, and celebrate this great momentum and expansion of opportunity for our city.”
The venue is expected to create 350 new jobs with a base wage of $20 per hour for all employees. It was also feature a “retail incubator,” offering small businesses from the neighborhood a “platform of visibility and growth.”
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