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
Dr. James "Buster" Alston completes life cycle.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=james-...
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Nelson Harrison on
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Homegoing Program: Viewing and Celebration of LIFE concert:
Friday, March 28, 2014
Location: The Homewood Coliseum, 7310 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
(Also known as the Trolley Oral History Center)
Viewing: 4 - 8 PM
Celebration of LIFE concert: 6 - 8PM
If you would like to sing, dance or participate at the celebration, please text or contact Elie Kihonia at: kihonia@yahoo.com
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Academy for Artistic Excellence for the Dr. James Alston Scholarship Fund... or by checks send to 4415 Fifth Avenue, #100, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-621-6800 or online: http://artisticexcellence.org
Funeral service:
When: Saturday March 29, 2014
Time: 11 AM
Location: Greater Apostolic Faith Church, 518 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA 15104
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There were almost 300 people in attendance including family and almost 100 cars in the funeral procession to the cemetery. We added an African/New Orleans flavor to the celebration led by Elie Kihonia and a host of musicians, dancers and singers. Some photos will appear here soon.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Auvil on
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Rest in peace, Buster. I will always remember our dorm room jam session at Gannon U. May peace be with the Alston family.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Shevock on
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Rest in peace, Buster. The freedom and encouragement I felt from you when you were supervisor of music (Pittsburgh Public Schools) helped me become the teacher I am today.
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Permalink Reply by Roberta Windle on
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May you rest in peace.
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