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
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
Extra Special Savoy Jazz Night to start the New Year!!!
Another great night of jazz at Savoy this past Monday (12/26). Shawnee Lake was on fire! Thanks to everyone who shared their day after Christmas with us here at Savoy, listening to great music. And we’re not done with this holiday season just yet! The day after New Year’s day (1/2/12), is going to start off the year of jazz at Savoy with bang!
Pittsburgh is well known for its rich history of exceptional jazz masters who got their start right here. Recent years show that this legacy continues with some of the most amazing young artists anywhere poised to take the country by storm. To that point we thought it only fitting to have the first Monday Night Jazz @ Savoy of 2012 celebrate that fact in grand fashion! For starters, the featured artist that night is Ralph Lalama, world renowned master on the tenor sax. Throughout his career, Ralph has been a part of many legendary jazz bands/orchestras and played with many well known jazz icons. The bands he has played with were headed by leaders such as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich and Thad Jones to name a few. He is currently a featured soloist with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has also worked with jazz icons like James Moody, Mel Torme and Carmen McRae. As always, Pittsburgh’s resident legendary master of the drums, Roger Humphries, along with the fantastic Dwayne Dolphin on bass and the marvelous Max Leak on piano, will provide the accompaniment for Ralph. And if that weren’t spectacular enough, the last half of the evening will have the George Heid III Trio, consisting of some of the baddest young talent currently coming out of the “Burg” accompanying Ralph. You won’t believe your ears when you hear and see the raw talent and heart these young lions display. And all three, George Heid III on drums, Brett Williams on keyboard and Miles Jackson on Bass, have been mentored by Roger, Dwayne and Max. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this. See you on Monday, January 2nd at Savoy to kick off what promises to be an amazing year of Jazz in Pittsburgh in general, lead by an amazing year of jazz right here at Savoy!
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