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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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin
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INTERVIEW
R.I.P. Bootsie Barnes * Saxophonist * Philadelphia Jazz Legend
R.I.P. Bootsie Barnes * Saxophonist * Philadelphia Jazz Legend
A Member of Washington D.C. Jazz Network
R.I.P. Bootsie Barnes, Philadelphia treasure. (Covid-19)
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Bootsie Barnes & Larry McKenna
“Bootsie” began his musical career at age 6 on piano switching to drums at 10. His grandmother gave him a saxophone at age 19 and he knew he had found his niche. In school, classmates included drummers, Lex Humphries, Bill Cosby, Al “Tootie” Heath; bassist “Spanky” DeBrest, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and a host of Philadelphia giants who went on to help shape the maturing sound of jazz music. Those who had the biggest influence on him were his father, who played trumpet with Bill Doggett’s 16 piece big band, and his cousin Jimmy Hamilton, saxophonist and star clarinetist of Duke Ellington’s band for 26 years.
Featured character on Cosby Kids
In the 60’s and early 70’s After an extended Engagement in St.Croix U.S Virgin Islands, (72'-73') Bootsie played the renowned “Chitterling Circuit” which included clubs such as South Jersey’s Crossing Inn, Dreamland, Cotton Club, Loretta's High Hat, Pearl's Celebrity Room, ... Also Atlantic City's Famous "Club Harlem", Reggie Edgehill's, and The Wonder Gardens! ..
A Few of the legendary Philly Nite Clubs He performed were:... The Aqua Lounge, Just Jazz, Kings Rook, Red Carpet, Intowner, The Blue Note, Nite Cap, Dawn Bar, C & J Lounge (Pitt's) The Showboat, Sahara, Chester's, and Pep’s Bar. He Worked with the "Big Bands" of Sam Reed.. (Uptown Theatre Band,) Johnny Lynch's Club Harlem Band in, Atlantic City (67'-69') Bennie Lyons, Also Rollie McGill, Chico Booth, Andy Aaron & the Mean Machine, King James & Lloyd Price's Big Band,(under the direction of the great Trumpeter, Kenny Dorham.) and Al Grey's "COUNT BASIE ALLSTARS" Little Big Band (Featuring Shirley Scott, John Duke, & Bobby Durham.
A significant accomplishment for Bootsie was being elected the Youngest ever Assistant Secretary of Philadelphia’s only Black Local #274 American Federation of Musician’s where he served from 1969-1971. This organization was a forerunner of today's Clef Club of the Performing Arts which was founded by the Late Former President of Local #274, JIMMY ADAMS.
Bootsie, TOURED With the Great Drummers 'Philly Joe Jones' & Mickey Roker. He Also Performed and or Recorded with literally ALL THE GREAT ORGANIST like...Richard "Rick" Waters, Herb Nix, Baby Joe Johnson, Larry Labes, Bill Walker, Bill Doggett, Milt Buckner, Shirley Scott, Don Patterson, Groove Holmes, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, Trudy Pitts, Poppa John and Joey DeFrancesco & Last but Not least The "BOSS" ...JIMMY SMITH!!!
He sill currently leads his own ORGAN TRIO'S & QUARTETS, FEATURING YOUNG TALENTED 'ORGAN STARS ON THE RISE', Kyle Koehler, Lucas Brown Or Dan Kostelnik. In the late 1980’s, Bootsie toured as the OPENING ACT with his childhood friend and classmate BILL COSBY, and made guest appearances on “The Bill Cosby Show,” (playing himself) as well as many other television appearances.
In 2003 once again he toured with COSBY, playing the PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL and the NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL! OTHER JAZZ FESTIVAL'S INCLUDE: JAZZ IN THE WOOD, THE ATLANTIC CITY JAZZ FEST, CAPE MAY JAZZ FEST, WILLINGBORO JAZZ FEST, KAHUNAVILLE JAZZ FEST, CAMDEN COUNTY, CLIFFORD BROWN FEST, MONTREAL FEST, PORTUGAL FEST, BUFFALO JUNTEENTH FEST, KANSAS CITY JAZZ FEST, TONY WILLIAMS & THE WEST OAK LANE FESTIVALS, THE EAST COAST JAZZ FEST, THE VAIL COLORADO LABOR DAY FEST, & THE DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL, TO NAME A FEW.
Bootsie Barnes: Bootsie Barnes: Boppin' Round The Center
Bootsie toured Europe as well as the United States and Canada with one of his "mentors" THE LEGENDARY SAXOPHONIST, ODEAN POPE & HIS SAXOPHONE CHOIR leaving a lasting impression on audiences all over the world. He has headlined venues from New York’s famed Birdland to the very prestigious Le Grand Hotel in Paris.
HE HAS WON MANY AWARDS, such as the Marjorie Dockery Volunteer Award from the Urban League Guild of Philadelphia and New York’s GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT AWARD, THE CAMDEN COUNTY LIVING LEGEND AWARD and his CD'S were often listed within the Top Ten Jazz Picks.
Today, “Bootsie” Barnes is known as “the man with the ‘Tenor Touch’ because of his dynamic style on the TENOR SAX. His smooth and distinct sound is easily recognizable whether softly caressing a ballad, or swinging hard, during live performances or on CD.
JazzTimes magazine sums up his solos thusly: “…plays tenor saxophone with self-assured flair and gorgeous depth…” and “…plays in a classic style reminiscent of Gene Ammons and Hank Mobley…”. Bootsie can be heard as a sideman on many, many recordings, (see his discography) he has released one vinyl album and three CD’s as a leader; “Been Here All Along”, “You Leave Me Breathless” “Hello” and "Boppin' Round the Center" ..
© 2024 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
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