Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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Pain Relief Beyond Belief
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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
Lordy Lordy Phat Man Dee's 40!
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 those situations I find that thinking in a linear fashion is more appropriate. One step in front of the other til you meet your goals and so on.... Keep the eyes on the prize and all that.... With that in mind, now, in this fourth decade long trip coming to pass during my journey with you on this big blue ball shaped space ship we call the Earth, I have decided (and been advised) that NOW is the time to make my way to Europe to begin my journey as an internationally touring jazz sensation! I have been offered opportunities to sing at the World Body Painting Festival in Austria, as well as some clubs and festivals in Paris, Berlin, Munich and London. To realize these goals, I have JUST launched my FIRST EVER online fundraising campaign of any kind..... I am blessed to have so many fans and friends in my life and I ask, if you can to pledge, and if you can't (cuz I don't love you for your money, I love you cuz you like art and music and weird things.....and so do I) just share it and ask people to share or pledge as well. I don't make alot of $$ as a jazz singer in Pittsburgh, but I really believe if I can get my show to Europe then I can make the connections I need to begin traveling with regularity and take my musicians and co performers in my troupe with me. Pittsburgh has a unique and talented pool of artists and I will share us all with the world. I shall make a web documentary of my trip with filmmaker Alistair McQueen, and we shall post a video travel blog showing my musical collaborations with the musicians I meet along the way. My other dream is to sing on every bridge I can find.... I am from Pittsburgh, the worlds city of bridges, more bridges than anyone else in the world, and I wish to musically connect our brides to the bridges of the world..... So I will sing and document my singing on the bridges of Europe. I will sing my songs, write new ones and learn songs form the people I meet on my way. I have some great rewards for those who can support me and I sincerely appreciate every bit of support I receive. I wish I could do this on my own, but I need help.
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