19

Dr. Nelson Harrison

Male

Pittsburgh, PA

United States

Profile Information:

Favorite website: http://jazzhoprevolution.com
Favorite blog: http://www.novacopia.org
Pittsburgh Connection: Born raised and embedded in Pittsburgh. Crescent Elementary, Baxter Jr. High, Westinghouse High and University of Pittsburgh.
Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers: Pittsburgh musicians are the best in the world. There are too many to name especially since I have played here for 50+ years. I have had the honor and privilege of playing with a few of the legends of Pittsburgh, e.g., Billy Eckstine, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, Stanley Turrentine, Sam Johnson, Joe Harris, J.C. Moses, Dakota Staton, Lena Horne, Grover Mitchell and Walt Harper.. My mentoring came from Warren Watson, Joe Westray, Carl Arter, Eddie "Rabbit" Barnes, Sam Hurt, Harold & Jerry Betters, Jerry Elliot, Bobby Jones, Art Nance, Cecil Brooks II, Bobby Boswell and Ahmad Jamal. My teachers were Fanetta Gordon, Carl McVicker, Sr. and Matty Shiner. My favorite pianist of all is Ahmad Jamal. If I went further to include my peer group down through the young lions of today I would run out of space.
Favorite Jazz Radio or media station: WZUM, WYEP (blues), WRCT
Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue: The Crawford Grill #2 is my favorite stage to play in the entire world. There was also the Midway Lounge, the Hurricane, the Diplomat, the Ebony Lounge, the Crescendo, the Rendevous, the Florentine, the Loendi Club, the Local #471 Musicians' Club in S'Liberty, Horseley's, the Loft, Ramseys II, the Pirate Inn, the Copa, the Encore I & II, the Pink Cloud, the Pitt Pot, the Black Magic, the Tiger's Tail, the Zebra Room, etc. to bring back a few memories of the erstwhile clubs.
About Me:: Ph. D. in clinical psychology, educator, composer, archivist, lyricist, arranger, ASCAP, playwright, speaker, photographer; veteran trombonist of the Count Basie Orchestra featuring Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Helen Humes, Joe Turner, Eddie Vinson, Dennis Rowland (‘78-80 incl. Japan tour); played with Dionne Warwicke, The Supremesm The Spinners, Eddie Kendricks, and The Temptations (’64), Joe Westray, Brooke Benton, Earl Grant, Mary Wells (1962 – 72); Sonny and the Premiers (1963 – 67); Walt Harper (1967-70); Brook Benton, Earl Grant, Chuck Jackson, Gene Ludwig, James Brown (’67-68); Nathan Davis (1970-75); Lena Horne and Tony Bennett (‘74), Don Byas, Billy Eckstine and Earl "Fatha" Hines (1975), Marva Josie, Martha Reeves, Barry White ('76), Kenny Clarke (‘79), Liberace (’77), Nancy Wilson and Melba Moore (’78), J.C. Heard, Charlie Gabriel, Marcus Belgrave ('78), Sammy Davis, Jr. and Aretha Franklin (’79 & 2015), Perry Como and Johnny Mathis (‘80), Bobby Vinton (’81), Ginger Rogers, Jerry Butler, Teddy Pendergrass, George Gobel, Red Skelton, the Smothers Brothers, Joan Rivers, Lola Falana, Donna Summer, Engelbert Humperdinck and Glenn Campbell (’82), Jay McShann (‘87), Slide Hampton (‘86), Nelson Riddle (’84) Al Cohn, Marvin Hamlisch (’97) and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans (’98) Irma Thomas, also Jimmy Owens, Joe Lastie, Gerald French, John Clayton, Bobby Plater, Freddie Green, Cleveland Eaton, Gerald Wilson, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Dr. David Baker, Butch Miles, Duffy Jackson, Karlton Hester, Arnett Cobb, Pauly Cohen, Ramon Morris, Geri Allen, Jothan Callins, Donald Byrd, Freddie Redd, Larry Ridley, Jack McDuff, J.C. Moses, Nathan East, Andy Bey ('77), Nathan Davis ('70-'75) to name only a few; inventor of the "Trombetto," a compact brass instrument with four valves that plays a chromatic range of six octaves with a trombone mouthpiece; played at festivals in New Orleans, London, Edinburg, Sacramento, New York City, Seattle; clinics and lectures in Santa Cruz and San Jose, CA, Quebec City and Montreal, Canada, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York and Toronto; scores written to movies by Georg Sanford Brown and John Russo and plays by Richard Wright, August Wilson and Rob Penny; lyricist of 125 bop standards; featured horn soloist avec vocalese with the Pittsburgh Connection Big Band at the 2007 IAJE Convention in NYC; nationally recognized expert on Pittsburgh jazz history.

Currently active in Pittsburgh with The Blues Orphans, Wee Jams, Studio-E Band, George Gee Orchestra, the Boilermaker Jazz Band and my own The World According to Bop, Jazz ‘N Jive, Dr. Jazz and the Salty Dawgs, Blue to the Bone, and Nelson Harrison and Associates and Ronnie Jones and Jazz Conversations.

Discography: Live at the Attic (1969) with the Walt Harper Quintet (Birmingham Label); Makatuka (1970) (Segue Label) and Suite for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1971) (Tomorrow International Label) with Nathan Davis; Kansas City Shout (1980) with the Count Basie Orchestra (Pablo Label); On A Coconut Island( 1993), Don't Give Up the Ship (1995), Burgundy Street Blues (1996) and Honky Tonk Town (1997) with the Boilermaker Jazz Band (Biograph Label); Tuesday Night at James Street (2002) with the RH Factor, Don’t Give Up (2003) with the Roger Humphries Big Band; Moonlit River (2003) songs by Fred Moolten, (MGO Media Label); 21st-Century Musicism (2005) compositions by Karlton E. Hester (Hesteria Records); If I Can’t Dance, It’s Not My Revolution (2006) Anne Feeney; Schism ‘n Blues (2005) & Root Rot (2007) with the Blues Orphans (Staggerin’ Fitz Label) which are the first commercial recordings of the trombetto, Not from Concentrate (2007) Genie Walker & Harmonique (Hip Tip Label).

He is is cited in the Marquis publication Who’s Who in the East (1979, The Jazz Men by Larry Tye, Mariner Books (2024)and August Wilson: A Life by Patti Hartigan, Simon & Schuster (2023); received the Renaissance Too Magazine Professional Men in Jazz Award (1989) and the East Liberty Hall of Fame (1991), the Westinghouse High School Hall of Fame (1995), Evolution of Jazz: Bridging the Gap Mentors Award (2006), the Walt Harper All That Jazz Award (2008), the Legacy Arts Project Keepers of the Flame Award (2008), the Build the Hill Award (2008) and the MCG Jazz Pittsburgh Legends of Jazz Award (2008), African American Council on the Arts Rob Penny Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) Jazz Heroes Award (2015).

Blogs:
http://www.jjajazzawards.org/p/blog-page.html
http://oldmonmusic.blogspot.com/2009/12/dr-nelson-harrison.html
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cres-oneal/2010/06/16/dr-nelson-harrison
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theremix/2009/05/30/dr-nelson-harrison...
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musicwoman/2008/10/01/metaphysics-of-m...
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/soulutionsradio/2009/07/06/dr-nelson-h...
Website:: http://www.pittsburghartistregistry.org/drjazz
Artist or Fan: artist, fan, industry professional, student, media

Comment Wall:

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LINDA ASSOCIATION SOUL JAZZ

ouch!sorry!i'm located in ASCOLI PICENO center italy-rome-
thank you for your first comment!ah ah.my compliments to you and for your music

Mar 28, 2008
LARRY MCGEE

THE NAME OF THE GROUP, MY BROTHER WAS IN 1963
"THE NORTHWINDS" A GOSPEL GROUP.

Mar 28, 2008
LARRY MCGEE

THE OTHER MEMBERS IN THE ALTAIRS ARE:
DANIEL PONDER THE DRUMMER
NATHANIEL BENSON ON THE LEFT, GEORGE'S COUSIN, SECOND TENOR
RALPH TERRY ,THE BASS SINGER
GEORGE BENSON ON GUITAR
ON THE OTHER PHOTO OF THE ALTAIRS, I HAVE ON GEORGE'S ` ORIGINAL TUXEDO JACKET!

Mar 28, 2008
Pete Fallico

Sure do... I wish I could get some airplay for Bill Heid in Pittsburgh. Great reading about your life and career!

Mar 31, 2008
Karl Sterling

Nelson,

Thanks so much for your invite to the Pittsburgh Jazz Network. I'm honored to be a part of it! You have a great site going here.

I invite you to please join our network here in Syracuse: www.syracusejazznetwork.com
We'd be honored to have you with us!

Keep up the great work and thanks again.

Karl

Apr 1, 2008
Terry Magursky

Thanks Nelson, FYI I'm doing some clinics in several schools next week with Eric Marienthal. He is in town with Chuck Loeb at MCG for a series of concerts 4/10 through 4/13. Check him out http://www.ericmarienthal.com/

Apr 1, 2008
SOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIX

Thanks for letting me know about this site. Both you and Michele Bensen told me about this a few months ago but I forgot about it until I got your e-mail yesterday. Thanks.

Apr 1, 2008
SOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIX

Hey man, I just got Rich Merritt, now living in Tampa, FL. to list with your site. I'm trying to get other folks I know, in other cities and countries that are "in the business" and are from here to list themselves too. As soon as I can I'll have a link from my site to this one. This is really a 'cool' thing you have here.

Apr 2, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Thanks Jerry,

I knew you would vibe with the spirit of it. Did you go to Butch McGee's page yet. Wait until you see the pictures he posted.

Apr 2, 2008
SOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIX

Yep. I went to his page. He called me twice, yesterday. There are so many great people on this site that I lost touch with. Hey, I just got a shout from Annie Friedland....WOW!!! Again, thanks.
B.T.W. I have a link from my site to this one.

Apr 2, 2008
Denise

hello nice to hear back, just read your reply too late I will b back in town after 4/14 so please let me know when u r playin..........and will come to the gig thank you so much be well Denise

Apr 7, 2008
Eugene Woody Smith

Hello my friend,this site is some kind of wonderful.

Apr 7, 2008
Ed Malloy

Prof Harrison,
In conjunction with Coal Country Traditions I've been running a monthly blues dance on the last Friday of the month. We are doing well and seem to be picking up interest in the local dance community. We just held a very successful weekend -- www.steelcityblues.com and are looking to expand our horizons a bilt.
Coal Country is sponsoring a workshop -- http://www.coalcountry.org/blueslindy.html -- in older traditional dance styles and I'd like to be able to have this month's dance feature music consistent with those styles. I thought that I had a commitment, but apparently I didn't.
Could we talk about this date? Are you availaable? The Blues Orphan's might work well, or, perhaps you might have another suggestion. Our budget is "non-profit" - the event is a Wightman School Community Center and our only income is from admissions - we can pay $500.00, plus we will split admissions 50/50 after the first 100 persons (though we are only hovering in the 80's so far, our weekend drew well over 100).

Could you e-mail me at edmalloy@mac.com or call me at 412 956-6747.

Thanks

ed

Apr 7, 2008
david shane

hope all the music is doing well...couldn't get into my old site, problem with a password I think....this may work better for me....hope to run into you at or hear from you via these airwaves! your friend and student - db

Apr 10, 2008
Carlos Peña

Dr. H,
Thanks for setting this all up and being an inspiring leader on and off the bandstand.
I just noticed that the 'Dig' you have posted on your playlist has me sitting in- crazy listening back to that!
See you soon,
Carlos

Apr 17, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Carlos,

You sound good on that too. Dig? Thanks for listening.

Apr 17, 2008
Rhadha Sewell

Hello My Fathers Brother:

I am wondering if you can enlighten me on something. Was it you that told me something about the Rosicrucian. I was looking at some things listed of papers you wrote about Mysticism and such. I am curious as to what that was about if you could endulge me. I am wondering only because of books my father had books on and some interesting topics. Email me @ HP7650@gmail.com if you could please so I can learn more.

Do you believe in spiritual destiny. Or rhyme to reason. There is a reason I keep running into you here at work. I am suppose to talk to you about him. I would appreciate anything you could share with me. Good bad anything. I am a big believer in destiny, purpose, I am still trying to find mine. But I know I am lead by spirit.

I think the heavens will provide the time for us to talk. I just know it.

Maybe you can be my unofficial uncle. If we can sometime hang out and talk I would really love it. I am going to try to document some of the stuff here.

Apr 17, 2008
Rhadha Sewell

Are you going to go to any of his shows Mr. Jamal , if so do you know which one you are going to attend. I would love to be there if you go.

Please let me know what you think about that.

Apr 17, 2008
Dan Wasson

Nelson, thanks for posting the Phyllis Hyman videos

Apr 22, 2008
Geoff Lapp Trio

hi again Nelson...Hope you are well. That is incredible you hardly get any snow..is that normal for your area...

The massive amounts of snow just melted a few weeks ago..we have crawled out of our caves.

Be good
GL

Apr 23, 2008
Verocska

Yes, I do. i like jazz. and world music.

Apr 24, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

LEGENDARY BE-BOP DRUMMER, JOE HARRIS WORKSHOP/CONVERSATION MAY 1, 2008 6PM 709 PENN AVENUE GALLERY, CULTURAL DISTRICT Joe Harris is a jazz legend in the history of be-bop jazz. Providing the rhythm section for the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis in the 1940’s and 50’s, Mr. Harris was a part of a new movement that changed the sound of jazz forever. On May 1, Joe Harris will share his stories and experiences, his archive of pictures and memorabilia with jazz fans and musicians, and demonstrate the technique that made jazz history. Join Mr. Harris for an evening of conversation and great music on May 1st 6:00 pm at 709 Penn Avenue Gallery, 709 Penn Avenue, Cultural District Refreshments will be served. Hosted by jazz trumpeter, and Duquesne Prof., Sean Jones & Janis Burley Wilson, VP, Education/Community Engagement The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Apr 24, 2008
Kevin Orzechowski

Hey Nelson, good to hear from you too. Thanks for sending the invite. I got my page up but haven't had a chance to poke around yet. I will see what I can find. In the mean time, you should check out www.jambaloosa.com. Its a three-day music festival in Beaver that sounds like it is shaping up to be pretty cool!

Apr 24, 2008
Joan-Adrienne

Dr. Harrison,

Thank you so much for the wonderful tribute you made on behalf of Phyllis Hyman. She was, by far, one of my favorite vocalists of all time, and I had the privilege of talking with her on several when I worked at Capitol Records and she recorded for our sister label, EMI Manhattan. She was an incredible artist and being, and she is sorely missed.

I enjoyed reading your profile and look forward to reviewing your music.

With warmest regards,

Joan-Adrienne
Divine Intervention Mgmt./PR
Beverly Hills, CA

A member of The Jazz Network (page: Joan-Adrienne)

Apr 25, 2008
Pieronymus

Thank You for the connection.

I will show more of my works.
bye
pieronymus

Apr 27, 2008
Kevin Amos

Thaks Doc for inviting me. And Michelle too! I'm glad to see folks finally starting to use the technology available to network and communicate. And Nelson you are right. 10, 15 years ago when I was talking about this stuff folks thought I was in outer space somewhere. I'm glad to see a expanded family in cyberspace.

Kevin

Apr 28, 2008
L'Tanya Williams

Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad to be here.

May 1, 2008
Scott Elias

Nelson, this is a terrific site, a wonderful concept. Bravo, my friend! I look forward to connecting (or re-connecting) with some great folks. I hope to see you, and hear you, when next I'm "home." And thanks for your amazing photos; it's good to know that Pittsburgh Jazz has such an able keeper of the flame...

May 1, 2008
Christina

Thanks for inviting me to the site! :)

See you @ AVA!

May 1, 2008
Andy Bianco

Likewise Nelson. Thank you for your support and thank you for inviting me to this wonderful network you've created!

May 7, 2008
Hakim Law

Hey man, keep swingin'. Tony Campbell turned me on to this site and glad he did. He's a good friend and excellent musician like yourself. It's great to be able communicate quickly and efficiently via the digital media we have today. I hope we can play together sometime when I'm home. I am a jazz instructor here in Boston at Berklee, private instruction and NE Conservatory of Music. Again, thanks for creating such a great site. Donot hesitate to call me if you need a jazz pianist to participate in pushing our jazz music and heritage forward.

May 9, 2008
Bob Karlovits

Nelson:

Thanks for the note and I pleased to be aboard.
Soon, very soon, I will make sure this look on anonymity is replaced.

Bob

May 12, 2008
The Phoenix Jazz Project

Hi Dr. Harrison...

We're still trying to figure out this page and how to arrange it. Thanks for finding us :) I had no idea that this was out here...it's great!!

Tom and Jessie

May 12, 2008
Frank B. Greenlee

I was not sure if it was the "Marcels" or "The Gents", Larry playing on the gig through me off. This was at a dance that Al Gee gave at a high school. The picture of Nina Simone was a show at the dinner club that used to be downtown, there were two sets and she thought it was two seperate concerts until she saw the same people and had to change what to play. John Eskridge and I covered it for the "Pittsburgh Point".

May 14, 2008
T. Foley

Thanks for the welcome, Nelson! I'll look for the Crawford Grill page/notes.

May 17, 2008
J. Malls

Hope to see you tonight! Glad you like the pics. Probably get some more in a few hours . . . -J

May 19, 2008
Marly Ikeda

Hi Nelson,
Thanks for your invite and welcome, I'm glad to be here, it's a so nice place!
Kisses,
May

May 20, 2008
wrenna watson

hey nels....really nice site!...like the musical interlude on your page, thanks for including me....i love you, always....wrenna-li
you really are the greatest.....(i wonder how i will get dad on here?)

May 22, 2008
Kelly George

Hi! Thanks for inviting me to this "platform" - I've got a lot to learn! That was my first night at AVA and I loved it! You'll be sure to see me there again!

May 22, 2008
L'Tanya Williams

My earlier page suddenly wouldn't work. I couldn't look at it nor could I log in or out. The site kept taking me back to the page that allows one to create a page, so I just started over again.
Hope all is well...see you on Monday!

May 25, 2008
Devorah Segall

hi Nelson
so glad to see this site growing and growing
Looking at the great photos here made me think of George Jones' photography.
Has anyone invited him to join this network and hopefully post some of the photographs he has taken?
I would invite him...not sure of his email address

Also, thinking about Bobby Negri being in the hospital, it occurs to me that it might be a nice addition to this site to have a page for Pgh jazzers who are ailing and in need of good thoughts, visits, music played in their honor(healing power of music!!),etc...what do you think?
blessings ,
Devorah
blessings,
Devorah

May 26, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Devorah,

It is always a pleasure to read your comments. You are right about George Jones' photos and his wife Linda is already a member. Add her as a friend and perhaps she will post some of George's photos.

Your suggestion to have a page for ailing musicians in need of good vibrations is quite a propos. since it is your idea, Why don't you start a Group for that purpose (just as you did the Pgh Jazz Venues" group) and the members can join it and participate.

Blessing to you always,

Nelson

May 26, 2008
Gary Howard

Hey, Dr Nelson thanks for everything. This is a really good thing you got going on here it's a pleasure to be apart of the P.J.N. It's an honor to know you, Keep doin wat u do - and God will keep blessing u.
Peace.
Gary

May 26, 2008
Gwen Davis

Hi Nelson. It was nice playing with you Saturday night. Thanks for the website information. I will feel my way around and see what I can discover. I've already seen a lot of familiar faces.

May 26, 2008
wrenna watson

nelson, if there is a clock setting on ur page, u might wanna check it, it said i left a message at 5:41am or something but it is really 12:30am...love ya, i love the music on this site....i play it while i am surfing or word processing...i got skills!....li

May 27, 2008
wrenna watson

i just have to remark that i scrolled up after i completed my comment and who did i see but gwen davis.....not only can she sang - but that is a very sexy picture - gees, i m used to c-ing her in the court downtown (and she is always sharp) ---go gwen,,sorry i missed u all on sat....

May 27, 2008
Frank B. Greenlee

It was great to see Shorts Davis perform... we tend to forget the Pittsburgh dancers who took much of the music to another level.

May 28, 2008
Randolph Scott-McLaughlin II

Hey man thanks didn't recognize your picture without a Trombetta (hope I spelled that right.) Is that widget you have with your tracks the same thing you were telling the guys and me about with the itunes deal or is that somethign else?

May 28, 2008
Harry Clark

Hey Nelson,
My sentiments...exactly. I agree this is a great idea for AAJPSP's use and promotion. I have thought about it and have not actually made any moves toward recommending the sight. I will bring it up at the next board meeting so the program director might check out the sight and be better informed as to how it can be used for the organization. Thanks Nelson for the "nudge".

Harry

May 28, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

It's all about the music. Thanks Bro.

May 29, 2008

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