PROGRESSIVE MUSIC COMPANY

AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS

BOYS CHOIR AFRICA SHIRTS
 
 
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/building-today-for-tomorrow/x/267428

 Pain Relief Beyond Belief

                         http://www.komehsaessentials.com/                              

 

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.

 

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
William "Buzzy" Robinson passed away peacefully on the afternoon of February 1, 2021. He died of natural causes in the presence of his family. He was the second of three children of Lydda and Joe Robinson. His death follows brother, Donald (1942) and sister, Joyceann (2004). Buzz Robinson was most notably the second-generation owner of Pittsburgh's world-famous Jazz club, the Crawford Grill. Buzz built upon "The Grill's" tradition of drawing socially and racially diverse audiences from across the country. Patrons included members of Pittsburgh's elite such as Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, the Rooneys (Pittsburgh Steelers), and playwright, August Wilson (who referenced "The Grill" in his play, Fences). Ethel Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. are known to have visited. The Grill was also chronicled by famous photographer Charles "Teenie" Harris. During its 1950's and 60's heyday, Crawford Grill patrons listened to musicians such as Charles Mingus, Clifford Brown, Nat King Cole, Maynard Ferguson, Thelonious Monk and Max Roach. 20th century Jazz greats like Lena Horne, Billy Strayhorn and Miles Davis regularly performed. Pittsburgh's local talent, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine and Walt Harper all got their start at The Grill. Buzz Robinson will be remembered as a strong advocate for his community, Pittsburgh's Hill District. He was known for pushing social boundaries and being very vocal in his support of Civil Rights. Buzz was a great enthusiast of music, art, food and life experiences. He was a magnet for neighborhood children who referred to him as "Uncle Buzzy," and he was known for passing out candy and dollars bills to any child brave enough to approach him. He had a great love for his family and friends and in his later years, recounted grand stories about his experiences with them. One well-known "Buzzy Story" was of him chasing a hungry grizzly bear from his cabin while visiting friend, Jim Friedman, in Alaska. This account was later verified by people living in the remote fishing village where it happened, and he remains local legend there to this day. Buzz leaves behind his children: Joseph, Price and Courtney; their families: Jasmine and Deborah, in addition to, his three grandchildren: Ava, Jovonne and Jesse. He had a unique relationship with all his family and will be remembered for the best of his qualities by each of them. Before his death he wanted to leave a personal message for his grandson, Jesse, with whom he had a very special bond. "Be your own man, Jesse. You are an exceptional and rare individual. The world is waiting for you - do great things! I will be watching you." Arrangements by the ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, INC., 2025 Perrysville Avenue, Perry Hilltop, Pittsburgh, PA 15214.
Published on February 14, 2021

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BUZZY R

Re: Roulette D-112400

Can be recited or sung to "Buzzy" by Charlie Parker, Atlantic Music - BMI

Lyrics by Nelson E. Harrison, Timeslice Music/Mayah Publishing - ASCAP

[412-441-4545] / cybraxis@verizon.net

 

 

Maybe you should talk to Buzzy.

He might even give you a gig.

Wasn't in the office was he?

While you're waiting, how 'bout a swig?

Never ask for too much money.

He's a penny-pincher, you dig?

 

Told you to be cool the last time.

Buzzy never argues a point.

Business is his only pastime.

That is why we gig this joint.

Don't expect a penny extra.

If you do, he'll just disappoint.

 

***

 

When you finally make the prime time,

Folks will see your name on the bill.

You were ready for the big time

When you played the Crawford Grill.

You'll be grateful that you spent time.

Playing for the folks on the Hill.

 

When the weary road gets fuzzy

And you feel like flipping your wig,

Then you'll finally know why Buzzy

Always made you dance the jig.

When the people wonder, "Does he?"

You can say you never renege.

 

 

Author Copyright © 1997 - 2020 by Nelson E. Harrison, ASCAP PAu 2-413-092

All rights Reserved without Prejudice

Article 1 Constitution of the United States and 1-207 U.C.C.

WILLIAM ‘BUZZY’ ROBINSON, OWNER OF FAMED CRAWFORD GRILL, DIES


‘Buzzy’ Robinson and the Crawford Grill—Inseparable

by Rob Taylor Jr.
Courier Staff Writer

Everybody who was anybody frequented the famed Crawford Grill.

Any and everybody knew William “Buzzy” Robinson.

Just like Macaroni and Cheese, Salt and Pepper, and Peanut Butter and Jelly, “Buzzy” and the Crawford Grill are inseparable.

The son of Lydda and Joe Robinson, the latter being the superlative businessman who partnered with William “Gus” Greenlee to open Crawford Grill No. 2 in 1943, Buzz passed away on the afternoon of Feb. 1, in the Hill District. He was 89.

When Greenlee, famed owner of the Pittsburgh Crawfords, died in 1952, Joe Robinson assumed sole ownership of the Crawford Grill No. 2, with his son, Buzz, managing the club and taking it to new heights.

“Buzz built upon ‘The Grill’s’ tradition of drawing socially and racially diverse audiences from across the country,” read part of his official obituary.

This article could span thousands upon thousands of words if it noted each person who ever entered the Crawford Grill. But it’s the names most people would recognize that show just how illustrious and legendary Buzz’s jazz club truly was.

Let’s just start with Pittsburgh. Roberto Clemente. Willie Stargell. The Rooneys. The Kaufmanns. August Wilson. George Benson. Stanley Turrentine. Walt Harper. Lena Horne. Billy Strayhorn. Art Blakey. Mary Lou Williams. Billy Eckstine.

And of course, the national acts made their way to the Crawford Grill. Nat King Cole, Charles Mingus. Clifford Brown. Maynard Ferguson. Thelonious Monk. Max Roach. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ethel Kennedy. Dizzy Gillespie.

“Buzz Robinson will be remembered as a strong advocate for his community, Pittsburgh’s Hill District,” his obituary read, obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier. “He was known for pushing social boundaries and being very vocal in his support of civil rights. Buzz was a great enthusiast of music, art, food and life experiences. He was a magnet for neighborhood children who referred to him as ‘Uncle Buzzy,’ and he was known for passing out candy and dollar bills to any child brave enough to approach him.”

“The Crawford Grill is where I got to meet and know THE Mal Goode, Mr. William ‘Bill’ Nunn Sr., editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, Mr. William Young, first Black to be appointed to the Governor of Pennsylvania’s cabinet as Secretary of Labor, all of the Black judges, all BLACK CANDIDATES,” penned longtime Courier columnist and civil rights advocate Louis “Hop” Kendrick in a 2018 column that appeared in the Courier.

CRAWFORD GRILL NO. 2, in 1975, from the McBride Sign Company Photographs, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center.

“Everybody who believed he was somebody frequented the Crawford Grill. There were those persons I met, respected, learned from, listened to, and paid attention to. There were those persons who had traveled the entire country, been to the great 500 automobile race, 25 consecutive Kentucky Derbys, world championship fights, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Johnson, etc. There were those who had met and known Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and they would tell how they would use their personal funds to finance Black organizations and candidates (something we don’t do today).”

“Hop” Kendrick wouldn’t be able to count how many times he was in the Crawford Grill. It was the place to be.

“There were a number of us who qualified to be regulars in the corner of the Crawford Grill,” “Hop” wrote in 2018, “but the Angel of Death has called all of them home, but myself and the son of the owner of the Crawford Grill, William ‘Buzzy’ Robinson. Buzzy is an example of what we were exposed to in the Crawford Grill, because he is a world traveler—he was able to describe to us and particularly to those who had only read and saw foreign countries in movies about some of the places and things he was able to see and participate in, and he lived for years in ‘The Big Apple.’ The town, so nice, they named it twice—New York, New York.”

Nelson E. Harrison, Ph.D., is many things—a clinical psychologist, educator, author—but his true passion is music. Dr. Harrison is a veteran of the Count Basie Orchestra (trombonist), a world-class musician who will never forget his early days playing at Buzzy’s club, the Crawford Grill No. 2, in 1956 and beyond.

Dr. Harrison has traveled the world, playing in hundreds of venues, but he told the Courier in an exclusive interview, March 9, that “the Crawford Grill was my favorite stage to play on in my entire lifetime, largely due to Buzzy and the way he maintained the place. He kept the standards high and it was always a joy to be around him and to work for and with him.”

Dr. Harrison, who is currently an Adjunct Professor of Psychology & Ethnic Studies at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), called Buzzy Robinson “a great personality in the community, who maintained and hosted the music community, including the fans and the musicians, in a way that prepared us for the highest standard across the world.”

Born Sept. 8, 1931, in Pittsburgh, William P. “Buzzy” Robinson later attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University). He had a great love for his family and friends, his obituary said. The obituary recalled one of the well-known “Buzzy Stories” when Buzzy chased a “hungry grizzly bear” from his cabin while he was visiting his friend, Jim Friedman, in Alaska.
“This account was later verified by people living in the remote fishing village where it happened, and he remains local legend there to this day,” Buzzy’s obituary stated.

Buzzy Robinson is survived by his children; Joseph, Price and Courtney, and their families, including Buzzy’s grandchildren, Ava, Jovonne and Jesse.
“He had a unique relationship with all his family and will be remembered for the best of his qualities by each of them,” Buzzy’s obituary read. “Before his death, he wanted to leave a personal message for his grandson, Jesse, with whom he had a very special bond: ‘Be your own man, Jesse. You are an exceptional and rare individual. The world is waiting for you—do great things! I will be watching you.’”

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