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Comment by Devorah Segall on August 22, 2008 at 7:26am

Comment by Devorah Segall 1 second ago
Delete Comment YES- Of course!!!
What about getting the HIllman Foundation to add some backing? Maybe bring the jazz departments of CMU, Pitt, Duquesne together in helping to sponsor..perhaps that might bring the generations together ...and feature local Pgh players to showcase themselves as well as back up artists that are brought in.There are so many Pgh born jazz greats in and out of town...it would be so cool to see a festival devoted to them all.

I want to be there for this in any capacity
Go Pgh! I miss you!!!
love,Devorah

Comment by Jazz Robertson on August 20, 2008 at 3:45pm

I would love to see a Jazz festival here again. But something that everyone has to bear in mind is that jazz isn't just suffering in Pittsburgh; it's having a hard time where I live in Boston as well. It really comes down to where we are as a country with no appreciation and respect for the past, as well as a lack of respect for anything with quality and substance. If we the people demand to have not just music, but other things in our lives (cars, food, etc.) with quality and value, I think jazz can actually live again; not just survive.

Oh, and Olga: you're blunt anyway. Don't blame it on the lack of caffine! ;)

Comment by CWR (Fan of Culture) on August 20, 2008 at 5:24am

Please excuse me; I’m not a artist by any reaches. I just wanted to repost to this discussion after I read the replies tonight.

As with everything in our country, as of late, we have lost a lot of ground. I think Doc reprinted a nice article about this exact subject. It had something to do with using what you earned when there is no one else to rely on (Doc do you have an idea what article?)

I see here just a few replies and all are in favor of a Party ,even though most are musicians or close friends it still means you ALL have the same dream.

Again no disrespect, I have more respect for Jazz then you will ever know. I’m just confused by what I hear& read everyday, people saying they want things to change but go about life unhappily satisfied with their lives.

My home town is in the same boat, a once Grand city, so wealthy Pittsburgh couldn’t wait to connect with us, now a shallow hole in the world waiting for city death. No pride no drives “no” connection. Everyone complaining about complaining, just spinning their wheels all over the track.

Just like my town Jazz is slipping away, almost lost to my children. No cohesion no unity for cause. All this seems to be sucking out the Jazz in Jazz, just like a visual artist few get to the top of the world, most make it one day at a time loving what they do, living to do it.

As I flip through all your profiles I see doctors lawyers educated wise people, I see “businessmen” hustlers smart seasoned people all wanting the same thing, that being to see Jazz up front again. So what is stopping you? Fear?


I may be talking out of line but I don’t think Doc put together this network for his health, He doesn’t work day and night trying to connect all this amazing talent to see it be for not. His mission is your dreams , I think your numbers are strong enough(anchored here) to start making things work in yen’s favor.


With all the talent and wisdom in these pages I can not see why a festivity can not be put together. Start -up Money is easy; the same with fame so as long as you have talent. Nothing is stopping Jazz from being Jazz other then you.

So stop just making a few bucks on truck tapes or playing a few sets here and there, this may sound hooky but unit and fight.

Again Doc I hope I have not over stepped my bounds, I couldn’t help but point this out knowing that sometimes the answer is right in front of our faces but it (sometimes) takes a different prospective before its realized..

Just my thoughs typed out.

Peace

CWR

Comment by Adam Brock on August 20, 2008 at 4:03am

Yes there should be...as a younger singer wanting to get more connected with more people in the city...I think a festival would be great! I performed at the Monroeville Jazz Fest this year and it was a lot of fun...and would love to do bigger and better things like that in the future...we've got a lot of talent here...let's showcase it!

Comment by PittsburghBluesConnection.com on August 19, 2008 at 5:21pm

Hello all and thank you for for keeping jazz and blues alive in Pgh. I fully agree that we should and can have a festival right here in the city, or close by and I would welcome any opportunity to help and assist in any way I can.

Comment by Scott Elias on August 19, 2008 at 3:25pm

YES, Pittsburgh should have a festival. Some of my earliest memories of great jazz were from the fests held at the Civic Arena. Even with horrid acoustics, Cannonball, Buddy Rich, Basie, etc., provided unforgettable moments. A festival can be cost effective: If nationally renowned acts are backed by great local rhythm sections, for example; if these headliners are paired with local players, in unique playing situations, etc. There is certainly enough local talent to do this -- Publicity (preferably national) is key. Bottom line: A cost-effective, "grass-roots" fest would be win/win. If the local clubs could feature jazz, publicize it, run some kind of special deals (no covers/food, drink offerings, etc.) simultaneous with the festival, all the better...

Comment by Muddy Kreek Blues Band on August 19, 2008 at 2:45pm

Why not the more music here the likley we all are to perform and attend the events and the city will benefit from it all. I for one would welcome this festival.

Comment by Lilly Abreu on August 19, 2008 at 2:19pm

What a great way to start the day!! Planning a festival where the musicians can get together and share their work. I am all for it and Pittsburgh is definitely ready for another transformation in the Jazz scene. Let's wake up the community with music and show the new generation that we do need to follow our dreams and believe in our art.

Comment by Olga Watkins on August 19, 2008 at 2:05pm

You caught me before my morning coffee, so I'll be blunt. Yes, there should definitely be a Pittsburgh Jazz Festival again. However, it should not be in any way associated with anyone who was involved in planning it in the past. It should be planned locally and feature local musicians as prevalently as national acts, sans the few local "artists" that we've already seen way to much of in the past. I would be in huge support of a Pittsburgh Jazz Fest provided it's not just a non-stop parade of the Tony Mowod-DUQ playlist of standards and smooth jazz; no Hendrick Merkins or Al Dowe please...

Comment by Dave Conrad on August 19, 2008 at 7:52am

Yes but it can't be like or related to the Pgh arts festival which has become a dead entity.
What about a high level meeting, like a Jazz Davos in the day and then at night just jam sessions open to all and everyone. I.E. the daytime you feed the academic non-prof realm with jazz summit discussions and treatises and then at night you let everybody's hair down and the music goes back to where it belongs in one of the places it was born.

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