Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
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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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INTERVIEW
DRUMMER JIMMY BLAKEMORE PASSES IN FLORIDA
I MET JIMMY IN 1960. WE BECAME IMMEDIATE FRIENDS AND WERE BOTH1957 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. HE FROM CARRICK HIGH AND ME
FROM HAR-BRACK... HIS WIFE, JUDY, AND HIS SONS, JIMMY, JR. AND RANDY BECAME REGULARS IN MY LIFE. IN OUR MUSIC LIFE,. I TOLD HIM HE WAS A HUMAN METRONOME. WHEREVER THE BEAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE,
WITH HIM, IT WAS NEVER CHANGING. AND WHAT A FABULOUS SHOW DRUMMER!!! I REMEMBER GOING TO HEAR JACK JONES WITH THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY BUT REALLY I WENT TO HEAR JIMMY WITH THE SYMPHONY. THERE HE WAS IN FRONT OF ALL THE SYMPHONY MUSICIANS AND HE PLAYED HIS CAN OFF IN THE SHOW, OF COURSE.
I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM. HE SPENT OVER 30 YEARS WITH JACK JONES, BEFORE THAT HE LEFT PTTSBURGH. WITH BUDDY GRECO, BEFORE THAT HE WAS
THE HOUSE DRUMMER AT THE FABULOUS HOLIDAY HOUSE... WHAT BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES I HAVE OF OUR FRIENDSHIP.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CARD, THE ADDRESS IS:
27277 BARBAROSA DRIVE,
BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA 33923
MY REGARDS TO YOU ALL,
SANDY STALEY
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Nelson Harrison on
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Sandy,
Thank you for sending this. i didn't know Jimmy well but I had the pleasure of playing that show with Jack Jones at Heinz Hall. He was a great musician and we had a ball. Jack was so pleased with the orchestra that he gave us a party in the Green room after the last show at the end of the week.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
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Permalink Reply by SANDY STALEY on
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THANKS FOR POSTING THIS, NELSON.
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To all...
It is with great sadness that I tell you that my dear brother in law, Jim Blakemore, passed away today, Sunday, August 3rd, at 1:30 PM. He was 69 years old, and by his side were my sister Judy and their two sons, Jimmy and Randy. I want to thank Sandy Staley for her sympathy, heartfelt remembrances, and for letting some of you know of his passing, as I asked her to. If there is anyone I left out, please forgive me, and pass along the news to those who knew and loved Jim. He started dating my sister when I was 4, and I always will think of him as the brother I never had. God rest his soul.
Jim had a mild heart attack 2 Christmas' ago. Shortly after that, one of his kidneys stopped functioning. It was only a matter of time before the second kidney weakened, and he began dialysis 4 weeks ago. Within a few weeks, his liver failed, and then his heart functionality decreased from 30% to 10%. Because of that, there was little the doctors could do, and Jim and Judy did not want to prolong his suffering. He passed peacefully, and hopefully, painlessly.
I don't yet know the plans for Jim's funeral, but I do know it will be in Naples, Florida, and will likely be brief. Kim, Taylor, and I are flying there tomorrow, and we will be sure to put together an obit for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
I speak for our entire family in thanking you for your prayers and remembrances. Jim was a wonderful husband, father, friend, and musician. He will be greatly missed. My sister and I agree that all is in God's hands, always, in all ways. God bless Jim. Keep happy memories of him close to you.
Peace
Bill Kuhn
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Permalink Reply by Devorah Segall on
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Dear Billy and Judy
I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing.
He was a great person and great musician.
I have a wondeful memory of the last time I got to spend time with him...it was in NYC...I don't know how many years ago--- he was there to perform with Jack Jones...a performance he made sure to invte to and help me to gain access to.
During that trip, one afternoon on a crisp sunny day, we met in central park and began walking and talking for many hours.We went all through the whole park (which is enormous) and had the most wonderful conversation about nature and life and music....and what was most essential to each of us.
It was a peak moment in my life that I will always carry with me.
Then, I heard him play and that just topped it all off.
This world is a better place having had Jim Blakemore living in it and sharing his beautiful self.That's the difference one person can make.G-d bless your soul, Jimmy.
My deepest sympathies to all of you
much love,
Devorah
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THIS WAS A GREAT REMINISCENCE OF A GREAT HUMAN BEING.
THANK YOU, DEVORAH.....
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You're so welcome Sandy.
I have many good memories of Jimmy and Judy and their family.
My dear friend Barbara Deutsch and I had some amazing times going to hear Jim and Jack Jones at the Plaza hotel in NY....that seems like a lifetime ago. Maybe it was! Barbara - another great soul and singer who has moved on from this world.
Sandy, what a great friend you are to so many. I'm really glad that you are here.
The music we make lives on and it matters.
Thanks for all you are.
Devorah
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Permalink Reply by Deb on
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I would like to add to these message all the way from the UK. Jimmy and Judy met my parents in the UK whilst he was on tour with JJ. When my sister was born in '77 Jim and Judy were in the UK and looked after me whilst mum was in the hospital. I only saw Jimmy once or twice a year when on the UK tour but every visit was special and I have fond memories of those times spent following the tour bus around. I lost my dad last year and as Judy has said to me today we can gain some comfort that they are both together having fun up there!!
My thoughts and prayers are with all that knew a tremendous drummer and a fantastic surrogate Uncle. He'll be missed by so many.
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ANOTHER SPECIAL STORY ABOUT A SPECIAL PERSON..
JIM AND JUDY ARE BOTH SPECIAL TO ME ALSO. I
HAVE LOST A LONGTIME FRIEND AND FELLOW MUSICIAN.
AGAIN, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR MEMORY OF JIM.
SANDY STALEY
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Permalink Reply by Campbell S. Hood (Scotty) on
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Dear Sandy,
A special person indeed, in all ways. Our association goes back around 45 years, and I have so many memories of Jim as a musician and friend and overall special person. I am still stunned by the news of his passing. The last time I saw him was at Segneri's a few years ago when he sat in. I'm sure you remember. He played his tail off and was the same old guy I knew for so many years. Little did I know that would be the last time we would be together. One never knows. God bless him and Judy and the rest of the family.
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Obituary: James R. Blakemore III / Drummer who performed on 'Tonight Show'
April 17, 1939 - Aug. 3, 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
By Nate Guidry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
James R. Blakemore III, an accomplished show drummer who performed on "The Tonight Show" and was a fixture at the old Monroeville Holiday House, died Sunday in Naples, Fla., from complications related to liver and heart ailments. He was 69.
Mr. Blakemore, who moved to Florida in 1986, had been ill for more than a year, according to his brother-in-law, Bill Kuhn.
Mr. Blakemore grew up in Overbrook and was a 1957 graduate of Carrick High School. Following graduation, Mr. Blakemore began his career as a professional musician, working such hot spots as the Hurricane and Crawford Grill in the Hill District.
For about eight years, he was the house drummer at the Holiday House, backing up national acts like Vic Damone, Diahann Carroll, the Mills Brothers, Phyllis Diller, Milton Berle, Totie Fields, Tiny Tim and Professor Irwin Corey.
Vocalist Sandy Staley remembered meeting Mr. Blakemore in 1960 while she was performing at Paris After Dark, a restaurant along Route 51 near Brookline.
"He came in and introduced himself," said Mrs. Staley. "We sat and talked and eventually began working together."
Mrs. Staley said she and Mr. Blakemore went on to work at the Surfside 4 in McKeesport and the New Era, an after-hours club in Oakland.
"He was a human metronome," she said. "Whatever the tempo was supposed to be is how it ended. He was a terrific show drummer and could read music with the best of them."
After leaving the Holiday House, Mr. Blakemore spent two years touring with Buddy Greco. While the band was performing at the London Palladium, he was hired by Grammy award-winning vocalist Jack Jones, a musical relationship that lasted more than 30 years.
With Mr. Jones, Mr. Blakemore performed on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson more than a dozen times.
"Jimmy traveled all over the world but he never changed," Mrs. Staley said. "He was the same great guy at age 69 as he was at 20."
Mr. Blakemore is survived by his wife, Judy; two sons, James and Randall, both of Naples; and two sisters, Catherine Fedor of Vestal, N.Y., and Mary Dudenhoeffer of Hickory, Miss.
A memorial service was held yesterday at Unity of Naples Church in Florida.
Nate Guidry can be reached at nguidry@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3865.
First published on August 8, 2008 at 12:00 am
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08221/902692-122.stm
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