Comments - Joe Westray web page - Pittsburgh Jazz Network2024-03-28T21:08:04Zhttp://jazzburgher.ning.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=1992552%3ABlogPost%3A249538&xn_auth=noJerry and Dr. Harrison, thank…tag:jazzburgher.ning.com,2012-02-27:1992552:Comment:2506042012-02-27T15:33:21.832ZTimothy R. Williamshttp://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/TimothyRWilliams
<p>Jerry and Dr. Harrison, thanks for your comments and further adding to the story of how important of a mentor Joe Westray was to the Pittsburgh jazz scene.</p>
<p>Jerry and Dr. Harrison, thanks for your comments and further adding to the story of how important of a mentor Joe Westray was to the Pittsburgh jazz scene.</p> I can remember in 1963, I was…tag:jazzburgher.ning.com,2012-02-24:1992552:Comment:2499842012-02-24T15:26:02.767ZSOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIXhttp://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/SOUTHSIDEJERRYMELLIX
<p>I can remember in 1963, I was 16 yr. and playing with a local band called, "Little Willie Beck & The Crossfires. We were offered a spot at The Stanley Theater as the opening act for Lee Dorsey, Derek Martin and I think Garnet Mimms. We were not union members when the call came but with Joe Westray's help we got signed and did the gig. After that, some of us would visit Westray Plaza and tried to sit-in on some of the 'cats' in the jam session. I rarily got to do that. But more…</p>
<p>I can remember in 1963, I was 16 yr. and playing with a local band called, "Little Willie Beck & The Crossfires. We were offered a spot at The Stanley Theater as the opening act for Lee Dorsey, Derek Martin and I think Garnet Mimms. We were not union members when the call came but with Joe Westray's help we got signed and did the gig. After that, some of us would visit Westray Plaza and tried to sit-in on some of the 'cats' in the jam session. I rarily got to do that. But more often we would just listen to Joe talk about the business behind show business. I attribute, in part, the reason I'm still active in music today, is because of he took time to tutor a couple of young guys on how things really work on and off the stage. I think you'd get the same response if you could ask some the guys(<em>Joe 'Chipper' Gray(bass) - Andrew Boyd(guitar) and the late Donald Jackson(bass)</em>) that were there with me; those too few days. There were more than a few people, back then, that would make time for me and other young players. Guys like 'Honey Boy', 'Bumpty' and others.</p> I played with Joe Westray fro…tag:jazzburgher.ning.com,2012-02-24:1992552:Comment:2495392012-02-24T01:55:41.682ZDr. Nelson Harrisonhttp://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/NelsonHarrison
<p>I played with Joe Westray from 1962 until his death in 1980 upon which I was a pallbearer. I played with multiple other bands during that period but was always a first call from Joe if I were available. He was a great musician, leader, businessman, mentor and friend. One of his favorite sayings was, "If you can play my book, you can play with anyone in the world." I found this to be quite true.</p>
<p>I played with Joe Westray from 1962 until his death in 1980 upon which I was a pallbearer. I played with multiple other bands during that period but was always a first call from Joe if I were available. He was a great musician, leader, businessman, mentor and friend. One of his favorite sayings was, "If you can play my book, you can play with anyone in the world." I found this to be quite true.</p>