PROGRESSIVE MUSIC COMPANY



 

                                                        PITTSBURGH 3D

 

THE STRONG CARD

PITTSBURGH JAZZ

Roger Humphries

 

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.

 

WELCOME!

 

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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

       In Her Own Words

Dr. Nelson Harrison's Comments

Comment Wall (581 comments)

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At 9:13pm on February 9, 2009, Jack Cenna said…
Nelson, Will you please forward the contact info about Randy Purcell once more. I must have erased your first message. Thanks, Jack Cenna
At 4:04am on February 7, 2009, Dr. Martin E. Rosenberg said…
Hey Nelson Harrison. Looking forward to meeting you as well.
Let me know what are your research interests as well as
repetoire favorites in the field of jazz.

I would love to participate more, but I'm going to have to work on my "chops"
abit more (I'm back to playing two hours a day, so hoping to for fun it soon!
At 3:05am on February 4, 2009, Tony Smith said…
Thank you Nelson. Music runs in the family. Jim Farquhar and I have the same moterh but different fathers. Our mother was an absolutely beautiful contralto and could have been professional if she had so chosen. My father was a professional level trombonist. I played trombone through high school but always wanted to sing. I must say I am very glad I found this website. Pittsburgh is known for great people, great music, great food and beautiful women...they all go together don't they. :-)
At 1:38am on February 4, 2009, Rev. Dr. Janson L Kelly Sr. said…
Let's use the link with the photo cool
At 8:20am on February 2, 2009, Elliott "Bigpop" Lawrence said…
Mr. Harrison, Thanks so much for the kind words....it's nice to know there are those in Pittsburgh who remember me. Pittsburgh was a fantastic place to learn about music and it's nice to have a little online community to !
At 3:44pm on January 31, 2009, Janine Gilbert-Carter said…
Wow! Thank you, that means a lot to me.

Peace and Blessings,
Janne
At 12:35pm on January 31, 2009, Janine Gilbert-Carter said…
I had the pleasure of meeting one of your friends last night during my gig at Westminsters Jazz night in DC. Thanks for letting them know of me and that I would be there.
At 2:15am on January 30, 2009, jeff bell said…
sweet!tx.nelson.i'm gonna put some time into this over the weekend!
At 7:52pm on January 29, 2009, Stan said…
My pleasure man!
At 4:46am on January 28, 2009, paul steigerwald said…
Hey Nelson...Paul Stag here. I changed my email address in my profile. It is now staggy@comcast.net. See ya soon.
At 12:52pm on January 27, 2009, Ken Lamison said…
Nelson,
Our newest member (#934), Sy Chen exemplifies the power of this Forum. Thanks again for your efforts on this site.
Ken

Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
Jimmy Ponder
Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
Jimmy Ponder
About Me:
I have been jazz guitar for few years and Jimmy Ponder is my
favorite jazz guitarist. I would like to bring Jimmy to Tokyo to
perform some day.
Artist or Fan
fan, industry professional
At 3:00pm on January 26, 2009, Big Ken said…
Thanks for such a warm welcome. Dr Leo and I had a small collab in the past and he did a good remix and added more jazzy feelings to a song I submitted to him. I'm looking forward to working with him more in the future.
I'm pleased to be affiliated with a company of Jazz Artists. Thaanks again.
At 1:17pm on January 26, 2009, Antoinette Manganas said…
Nrlson!

Thank you so much....I'm glad to be on this network! I will keep you updated when Star Power ( a Norman Connors compilation of Artists who include Peabo Byson, Marion Meadows, Norman Brown,Bobby Lyle, Howard Hewett and me!) Wishing you a BLESSED year!

Love and Blessings,
Antoinette
At 7:47am on January 26, 2009, TLed said…
Glad to be "Home", Nelson. I carry the Pittsburgh Jazz legacy with me wherever I go. Mad Blessings.
At 6:10pm on January 22, 2009, Samantha Phillips said…
The actors for Clean Drums will be Paul keys who is playing young 17 years old Joe Harris and Dennis Gardner will play older Joe Harris in the show. It should a great performance. Invite you friends and please if you can send a shout to other members about the show and buying tickets, website www.kuntu.org or calling 412-969-1960, I still need to add more friends to my page, I love jazz and i am from Chicago originally, so I grew up on jazz music around my grandmother, but sometimes it hard to find younger audiences that feel the way I do. I am glad to be a part of your network, to listen to some of the newer artist. I hope they do decide to have a Pittsburgh Jazz Festival soon!
At 6:49am on January 22, 2009, E. L. James said…
By the way, I received an email today from the DC jazz network informing me that Earl "Fathead" Newman had passed, he will be missed. You should consider joining the http://washingtondcjazznetwork.ning.com, cut and paste should get you there.


Peace
At 6:42am on January 22, 2009, E. L. James said…
Say Brother:
I am glad to be a part of anything that is art worthy and hopefully I will be able to make a contribution to the Pittsburgh arts community. Look out for my next release, "Still Waiting on the 'A' Train," Dale is one of the guest artist one the session. Be well, stay strong and safe; it's necessary if you're an artist.
At 12:00pm on January 20, 2009, Nick mondello said…
Nelson:

Lou is a wonderful guy and a FINE player.

I found you through Lou.

Me? I play, tech and work with artists on their PR/marketing. I write CD and performance reviews. Go to http://www.allabout jazz.com and key "Nick Mondello" in the search window to see some "stuff.".

Thank You!!!!
Nick Mondello
At 10:53pm on January 18, 2009, Mona said…
Thank you so much for the kind words. I will add a couple of songs in thenext few days.I appreciate the welcome.
At 10:34pm on January 16, 2009, Mike Keefe said…
Nelson,
Thank you for the welcome. I just found out about this site from Dale Fielder. I'm in Easton, Pa.
Mike

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