Hosea Taylor Final Arrangements:

Viewing Tuesday  9/13/11 from 4 - 8pm at Spriggs-Watson funeral Home on the corner of Bennett Street and Lang Ave. in Homewood.

The funeral will be from the same place on Wed. 9/14/11 at 11 am.

Please share this information with other friends and acquaintances.

Final Arrangements for William Green (brother of George Green):

Viewing on Monday 9/12/11 at Bethany Baptist Center, 7745 Tioga St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2263 Phone: 412) 242-8865.

The funeral will be held at the same place on Tuesday 9/13/11 at 11am.

Please share this information with friends and acquaintances.

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Taylor's passing. I can say I was fortunate enough to play on one Mr. Taylor's recordings along with the late Gene Ludwig. It was a pleasure to have shared a moment in time with him.

Brian E. Edwards

I'm sorry to hear of Hosea's passing from our world. His unique spirit will be missed. I have fond memories of gigs with him when I was a "baby".

Max Leake

http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/FAJE/FAJE_g...

By Associated Press,
Published: December 11 |
Updated: Wednesday, December 12, 12:28 AM

AP: Ravi Shankar, Indian sitar virtuoso, dies at 92

Ravi Shankar, the Grammy Award-winning Indian sitar musician and father of jazz-pop musician Norah Jones, has died, AP reports.

Shankar helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers in the West discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music over an eight-decade career. Beatle George Harrison labeled him “the godfather of world music.”

NEW DELHI — Ravi Shankar, the sitar virtuoso who became a hippie musical icon of the 1960s after hobnobbing with the Beatles and who introduced traditional Indian ragas to Western audiences over a 10-decade career, died Tuesday. He was 92.

A statement on the musician’s website said he died in San Diego, near his Southern California home. The musician’s foundation issued a statement saying that he had suffered upper respiratory and heart problems and had undergone heart-valve replacement surgery last week.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also confirmed his death and called Shankar a “national treasure.”

Labeled “the godfather of world music” by George Harrison, Shankar helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music.

He also pioneered the concept of the rock benefit with the 1971 Concert For Bangladesh. To later generations, he was known as the estranged father of popular American singer Norah Jones.

His last musical performance was with his other daughter, sitarist Anoushka Shankar Wright, on Nov. 4 in Long Beach, California; his foundation said it was to celebrate his 10th decade of creating music. The multiple Grammy winner learned that he had again been nominated for the award the night before his surgery.

As early as the 1950s, Shankar began collaborating with and teaching some of the greats of Western music, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. He played well-received shows in concert halls in Europe and the United States, but faced a constant struggle to bridge the musical gap between the West and the East.

Describing an early Shankar tour in 1957, Time magazine said. “U.S. audiences were receptive but occasionally puzzled.”

His close relationship with Harrison, the Beatles lead guitarist, shot Shankar to global stardom in the 1960s.

Harrison had grown fascinated with the sitar, a long necked, string instrument that uses a bulbous gourd for its resonating chamber and resembles a giant lute. He played the instrument, with a Western tuning, on the song “Norwegian Wood,” but soon sought out Shankar, already a musical icon in India, to teach him to play it properly.

The pair spent weeks together, starting the lessons at Harrison’s house in England and then moving to a houseboat in Kashmir and later to California.

Gaining confidence with the complex instrument, Harrison recorded the Indian-inspired song “Within You Without You” on the Beatles’ ”Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” helping spark the raga-rock phase of 60s music and drawing increasing attention to Shankar and his work.

Shankar’s popularity exploded, and he soon found himself playing on bills with some of the top rock musicians of the era. He played a four-hour set at the Monterey Pop Festival and the opening day of Woodstock.

hugs to all

January 5, 2015 (Monday):  WKCR will be broadcasting a BUDDY DEFRANCO MEMORIAM on Monday, January 5, 2015 from 12 Noon to 3pm ET.
This DeFranco memorial is on WKCR at 89.9 FM in NYC and via the Internet at WKCR.org."

So sorry to hear of Hosea's passing. He was a fun guy. We worked quite a few gigs together. Rest in the Arms of God brother.

Singer, songwriter, Sandy Mason Theoret died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in her home in Ormond Beach, Fla., from pancreatic cancer. She was 75.

Ms. Theoret grew up in Tarentum and was “discovered” at 11 when she entered a televised talent show with her ventriloquism act.

She toured clubs with her “dummy,” Tommy, eventually getting booked into venues in Chicago and New York, said her cousin, Rick Shaw, 52, of Ormond Beach.

After graduating from Tarentum High School and the Pittsburgh Playhouse, she became a co-host with musician Joe Negri on WTAE's “Popeye and Friends.” The children's show ran from 1965-68 and allowed her to continue her ventriloquist act with Tommy and another dummy, Granny.

http://triblive.com/obituaries/newsstories/8130107-74/theoret-music...

http://livestream.com/Abyssinian/events/3952714/videos/83444780

RIP Chizmo Charles

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2015/04/22/Chizmo-Charl...

 I was just talking about Chizmo last night. When I woke up this morning the Sky was crying. Now I know why. They say Chizmo could work a room; that's because he loved all people. Chiz, I will love and miss you till we meet again, in the arms of Jesus, our Lord.

Farwell Chizmo. Will be missed by all who knew and loved you. You were a true entertainer in every sense of the word. RIP. 

We lost Ornette Coleman this morning.

11 years ago today, the long time manager of the Encore in Shadyside and also downtown on Liberty Ave., Art Swiden, passed away. Art loved jazz and talent and was a true Pittsburgh character! He started his career as a light heavyweight boxer and went pro as a Heavyweight boxer until 1960 when he retired from boxing. His next move was to be THE man at the Encore  Bar and Restaurant on Walnut Street. Owned by Will Shiner but managed by Art Swiden, he loved to make people laugh and his trademark statement was, "I'm not here to hurt ya, I am here to help ya!"  He was 6'12 and a big man who voice could imitate actors like Clark Gable to bit parts in local movies, like the Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. Art loved jazz and made sure the Encore booked the best of the best! He should be mentioned here and if anyone wants to see a small memorial to him, go to the parklet on Walnut Street, right next to where the Encore used to be and look down, you will see his name and it says, "Art Swiden Champ 4 Ever!" Art was my boss at the Encore and he was also my friend and therefore I felt it was only right his name is mentioned in Shadyside where he made himself known throughout. A true lover of music and brought into the Encore, along with Bobby Davis, the best of the best. Missed by so many. 

Art Swiden:  born Feb. 11, 1928 - died: Aug. 23, 2004  

Shawn,

I am so glad you added this information about Art.  You brought back many fond memories for me and I'm sure others as well.  Art was one of a kind and his special personality made Walnut Street the 'place to be.'  I'll stop by and visit his marker next time I am over there and will tell others as well.

Thank you Dr. Harrison. I hope people do see his brick there in Shadyside and think good of Art. I put that brick there in 2009 so it has been there for a while now. I have a special place in my heart for Art and he should be remembered. So many people help make Jazz music happen, not just the brilliant and talented musicians but promoters, nightclubs, music teachers, music publishers and record companies as well as the little people like me who waitressed and tended bar at the Encore and the Balcony in Pgh for a time, 1976-79...where the best jazz in the world was heard! May people remember that time as unique and as Art would say,  "an offer you can't refuse!"  By the way, Art was 6' 1" not 6'12 as it says in my other post! lol He was big man but not that big...lol  Harold Betters was born to play at the Encore too and Harold and Art were good friends and I met Billy Conn, also known as The Pittsburgh Kid as a pro boxer who boxed Joe Louis! Art knew Billy, the Steelers, like Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw and Mean Joe Green and I waited on them all at the Encore.  Everyone came to listen to the Jazz. I will never forget at the Encore II downtown watching Dizzy Gillespie's cheeks blow out while he was onstage blowing his horn! I was young and never saw him before! Many memories of many fantastic and wonderful jazz artists there, like Blossom Dearie, Chuck Mangione,  Sarah Vaughn,  Cleo Lane, Harold Betters, of course, and you name it, they were there! Thanks for letting me share my memories, Dr. Harrison. :-) Bless you and keep up the good work you do here. 

And a little bit of magic happened when I was just home visiting that brick in Shadyside with Art's name on it. (I live in London, England but was home for a month in Pgh in July) so here is my final entry of a wonderful bit of magic! Art Swiden and the Encore style via this video.  Note the clarinet player, who is a Bell Man in his day job! Name is Darryl, check this out. Only in Shadyside!  https://youtu.be/ad-RLoVC_yE

Shawn,

Your comments are truly in the spirit of this network. I encourage more members to register their memories and jazz experiences here so that the names of icons like Art and Bobby Davis will not be forgotten.  If you have any photos, please post them on your page so we can reminisce some more.  Thank you.

BTW the clarinetist is Darryl Cann... another personality making his presence felt in the 'Burgh through music.

Yes, Dr. Harrison, will do! Darryl Cann, that is right and a fabulous clarinet player he is too. I was truly awestruck to find him playing, Amazing Grace" right on Art's brick! I think that was a message for me from Art!  Darryl remembered the Encore and Art and Bobby too. I think 5505 Walnut Street, which is the exact address of the Encore but now stands the Steel Cactus Restaurant...it should have a blue commemorator plaque like we have here all over London. "Here is the spot that the greatest jazz legends performed at for over 20 years, known as The Encore"! I would really like to see that happen and Pittsburgh take pride in their past history of Jazz because it is Legend! All the best to you and your peeps here, Dr. Harrison. 

We have been trying to wake Pittsburgh up to its rich jazz and artistic heritage for decades, hence this network.  More comments like yours would certainly help the process.  Ironically I find that there is more interest in the Steelers among the musicians than there is in the music tradition.

Perhaps you can help me remind them (especially the young-uns) that in the 60s Harold Betters was bigger than the Steelers.  It was so difficult to even give a Steeler ticket away that the Rooneys hired Harold Betters to play outside of Pitt Stadium to draw people into the the Steeler games.  People find that hard to believe but there were often no more than 5000 fans in that 60,000 seat stadium. I was there. 

People lined up 2 blocks in the snow on Walnut waiting to get in to the tiny Encore I to catch Harold's next set.  Remember?

Enjoyed your comments  Shawn Cohen about Art and the Encore. I have many memories of that place, of Art and especially Bobby Davis. The history needs to be spoken and written about for preservation for all of us and the young musicians coming up. Thank you for posting the video. Dr. Harrison's passion is shown on this Pittsburgh Jazz Network throughout. We are fortunate the he started this site for all of us.

 This is Art Swiden from a newspaper article when he was managing the Encore. He started about 1960 ish and went on to manage it until he moved to the Encore in Florida which only lasted 2 more years. The one on Liberty Ave. known as The Encore II, which Bobby Davis usually managed but Art and he would switch once in a while so you could see either at one or the other.  I was only 20 years old in 1976 when I began working there and I was underage because really it was a bar and so you had to be 21 to work there but....I did anyway! So I know the history from being there for those 3 years and then working in Shadyside too at the Balcony after that. It was a wonderful time for music of all kinds but yes, when I was working downtown, they lined up to get into to see Sonny Stit and  Buddy Rich and so many! It was an amazing and rough place to be because there could be fights breaking out but Art being the strong hold there always made sure we were ok, his staff and the musicians! Thanks Michele Bensen. I know you sang on Harold's album. I have it. I have been in touch with his family and Harold's grandson came to stay with me and my daughter here in London. They are a great family and Harold is a true icon of Jazz! I also grew up with Kenny Karsh, his sister was my best friend so now you know and my Aunt Betty who ran the coffee houses in New York during the 1960's (The Bitter End and the Gaslight) was also shipping talent down to the Encore downtown from New York. I was surrounded! lol Jazz is so important for so many reasons.  I could talk all day about my memories but I am working on a book about it all.  One day we can hope Pittsburgh gets the true recognition and clubs like The Encore, I and II and the Balcony and what about Walt Harper's downtown and of course, the Crowford Grill all get their recognition. I think we should start that blue plaque sign like they do in England. They have a little ceremony and dedicate the plaque to those who lived there or whatever. In fact, I was in Carnaby Street not long ago and happened to look up and there on the building was a blue round plaque that read: "Here the Beatle's manager Brian Epstein lived from .... and it gave the dates. " Pretty cool! So Dr. Harrison, why don't we start doing this to mark Pittsburgh Cool Jazz History!? :-) 

Art managed the Encore for well over 20 years. Bobby probably the same downtown or near enough and Harold, well they called The Encore, "The House that Betters Built" because he was their nightly act! Harold made the Encore. And he left and came back and so on. The place was always packed when the bands or singers were in. And absolutely everyone who was anyone came to see them! It was THE Place to be...and then after they closed at 2:00am, there was the Gaslight around the corner on Copeland and The Hollywood Social Club or go and get an early breakfast or something at Ritter's Diner! lol we all had fun, the musicians, the staff and the customers! :-) 

I know Art told me he met "Little Georgie Benson" when he was just a boy coming into the Encore and playing his guitar! They knew he would be a star one day because he was a child prodigy! Now look at him, not so little and in fact he recently played The Royal Albert Hall, here in London! That is stardom! lol but he played the Encore too, plenty and I remember him coming in to play while I was on shift there one night...he had just released, "Breezin'" and it was rising in the charts and he came in and played his main song, "Breezin'" which the house went crazy over. Very nice guy. I also remember Jimmy McGriff's band playing at the Encore Downtown and Kenny Karsh went out on tour with him later on.  There are so many...if I can recall anymore, will let you know but if you go to the Pgh Press or Pgh Post Gazette archived newspapers, you will find plenty of articles about the Encore and who is playing there. Lenny Litman wrote plenty of reviews too so look for his articles. I remember when Lenny would come in, Art would go crazy, to make sure he was well seen to and that Lenny would write a great review! Haha he always did anyway! But Art wanted to make sure! Ok, that is all for now. Nice chatting with you both , Michele and Dr. Harrison. :-) Let's keep Jazz alive and well in Pgh!  And all over the world! 

I have just learned of the passing of pianist Jerry Melega, from Brownsville, PA who worked throughout the Pittsburgh tri-state area with many local musicians. Funeral / Memorial services and arrangements will be forthcoming. Will will miss Jerry who was in his late 70's.

Sorry to hear of Jerry Melega's passing. Great, great memories, both musically, and personally. I will miss him, as he passes on....Thanks, my brother.

Even though I haven't seen Jerry in quite a while I'll never forget the gigs we had and the friendship. Rest in peace my friend in the Arms of our Lord. Love you Jerry.

Thank you Michele Bensen. :-) I am the one who recently connected with you on FB. It would be fun to share some Encore memories. All the best, Shawn Cohen 

It would be appreciated if you would share them here. That's primarily what this network is for. ok?

Hi Dr. Nelson,  would be delighted to share those memories here. I was referencing Michele and I connecting on FB just yesterday. If I think back, there was always a line out the door when big acts came to the Encore downtown. I am speaking of people like Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespe. It was my job as a waitress to make sure all the tables were served well, keep their libations flowing and not have Art or Bobby give me a talking to because I missed someone or the food in the kitchen was waiting for me! I wore high heels as this was all part of the penguin suit back then and I have walked a million waitress miles in them with the feet today to show for it! But the money was good when the getting was good! Art was particularly over protective of his staff and me as I was the youngest and he would make sure that any male customer who thought I was "dessert" would be swiftly and gladly upthrown from his bar seat or table and wisked out the front door by the scruff of his shirt collar with Art's big ex boxer hand and in his notorious put on "gruff" voice say, "Hit the road Jack and don't ya come back no more!"  LOL To which he would turn back to the crowd and say, "Ok, show's over...!" And back the band would play and me and the other penguins (white shirts, black pants or skirts) would go back to work!  Just another day/night at the Encore!

Harold Betters always played in the Shadyside Encore while I was there and then he left for a while. I remember his brother Jerry getting up and singing too and that was always something to witness. The crowd loved Harold and his band and Jerry Betters too. Kenny Karsh is such a talented young man and he was still underage when he came to play at the Encore. In fact, his mother (I was best friends with his older sister Roberta) asked me to look out for Kenny because, well, the Encore in Shadyside was no place for a young impressionable teen! I did and he was excellent and the crowd also loved Kenny! All part of my memories of the Encore. Harold always played Satin Doll when the end of the evening came and I knew then to call, "Last Call for Alcohol" for my tables then...that song will always remind me of Harold and the Encore because of that! Harold is still going strong and his daughter and her son are also my friends now. They are a lovely family with very talented generations. 

Shawn,

Those were precious times and your memories are golden.  I'm sure there are many members who are reveling in them as am I.  Thank you.

What a loss!!  I've been in contact with Mark Murphy for the last year or so.  He's been living at the Actors Studio (Home for Show Biz) in New Jersey.  As time went on, one could see that Mark was failing.  Just a couple days ago,  on a call to the actors Home, I was advised Mark had passed away....He wont be easy to replace...there was only one!  The people at the Home couldn't give me any details but, Im in contact with the family and expect to hear from them in due course.

  I met Mark right here in Pgh at Hyholde House...where he was working.   I'd heard and seen him the previous year...but not so "up close".  I made it my business to meet him personally..and have him to my residence.  What a guy...what a vocalist.  Just a gorgeous vibrato and a great resonance...and his handling of a lyric...just so distinct and fraught with emotion (when called for).  I've never heard anyone...interpret a tune like Mark.  He took chances I'd never heard before...and...it seemed so natural...no struggle whatsoever!

  Subsequently, I heard him in person in New York and Syracuse (he came from Malone..a suburb of Syracuse). 

    Truly..I've never heard his equal.  Not commercially successful..but that's the life of most..who are intimately identified with jazz.  A great loss.  I'll report further, as I hear from the family

         Don Cerminara

Wow, I just saw Frank Greenlee's fb post about drummer Joe Harris passing this morning.    So very sad.   I am so glad that we kept in touch all these years.  Joe treated me like a son and would often come to see my group perform at various art festivals in Pittsburgh. See attached pic of Joe and I performing at the Mellon Jazz Festival.  I spoke to Joe a few months ago and one of the stories he shared with me was about his trip to Cuba with Dizzy Gillespie back in the day.  Joe said they were suppose to have a drum kit setup for him, however, when he got to Cuba, they only had congas, etc., set up for him.  My wife and I send our condolences to Joe's family.

https://youtu.be/fz8XRrG-G28

We, sadly, lost renowned audio engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, today, 8/25/2016