Pittsburgh Jazz Network
Michael A. Constable
67, Male
Las Vegas, NV
United States
Profile Information:
- Pittsburgh Connection
- Born and raised in East Liberty. 3rd son of Danny Conn. Everyone on the list below (except Sandy, whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting) has either kissed me, hugged me or patted me on the head in my lifetime. I am EXTREMELY happy to have meet them all on a personal level as a youth, usually in my dad's musty old cellar where they would play the best music I ever heard until the wee hours of the morning; my Mom, Claire, would just smile and make more coffee! Many days I would go to school at Larimer on only 4 hours sleep! Spider, thanks for letting me sit on your lap while you played that one night! Remember how you told me how you got your name? Love you man. Carlo, you beautiful, beautiful man. Feb 8, Feb 8....I will NEVER forget your birthday my friend. You were taken WAY too early..... Bobby, I remember having breakfast with you, LIFE cereal, on Shetland Ave.; you in your boxers and me in my pajamas with the stars and moons on the feet. Bill Price, you looked like you could have been an Insurance Salesman, but you played man, you played! and Chuck, you large, soft wonderful human being...you were as cool and nice as you were tall. I could go on forever, but .... (maybe I will blog later)
- Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
- Danny Conn, Ron Anthony, Jay Constable, Joe Dallas, Carlo Galluzzo, Eric Kloss, Michael Marmarosa, Bobby Negri, Joe Negri, Bill Price, Buzzy Renn, Spider Rondinelli, Chuck Spatafore, Henry Sciullo, Sandy Staley, John Wilson.
- Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
- Three men die and go to Heaven. St. Peter says, "Before I let you in, I need to know your financial status; please tell me how much money you made on Earth in your best year." The first man says, "I made well over a million dollars one year" "Oh, what did you do?" asked St. Peter. "I was a corporate executive for Steve Wynn." "Oh, fine, you go up THIS path.", says St. Peter. The second man said, "I made $100,000 one year" "Oh, what did you do?" "I was a Union Surveyor in Las Vegas in the 1980's" "Oh, OK, You go up THIS path then." The last man said, "I think I cleared $15,000 one year." To which St. Peter replied, "Oh yeah, what instrument did YOU play?"
- Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
- How do you get a Bass Player off your front porch?
You pay him for the Pizza. - About Me:
- I have NO musical ability what-so-ever! My Dad's genes went to Dante and Jay. I am in awe of those of you that can earn a living doing it. I, on the other hand, do possess a very good mathematical mind and managed to become licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor in Nevada. I am married and have 4 daughters, all of whom are blessed but can't play music either!
I would say I like hanging out with musicians, but then someone might think I was the drummer. (Rim Shot goes here)
We enjoy LISTENING to you guys! Keep it up. - Artist or Fan
- fan
Dr. Nelson Harrison
We cannot express how joyful we are to see your page. Your father was one of the best and most beloved jazz musicians in Pittsburgh history and it was a privilege to call him friend and colleague. There's a couple of pictures of him on my page but the pictures you have added are testimony to the true value and purpose of this network. Families like the Constables are the backbone of our great legacy and we want the world to know the true history of our tradition. That story could never be complete without the representation of prominent jazz families like yours. thank you so much for joining and helping us to fulfill our most important mission.
Feb 23, 2009
Ed Skirtich
Wow! You did a great job of giving a tribute to your dad!
Your dad was such a warm, embracing human being.
He was so nice to me when I had him as an instructor at Duquesne University's Summer Jazz Camps when Dr. John Wilson directed the jazz program at Duquesne.
I'm also a trumpet player and your Dad was always showing me ways of how to play chord changes on small and large jazz band pieces. The stuff he showed me was great and he was a fantastic trumpet player.
He also showed me different ways of holding the trumpet and was always passing musical knowlrdge onto to me even after I had a stroke back in 1994-95. He was very encouraging to me to keep playing trumpet during the darkest hours of my life. I'll never forget him!
In fact, I still practice the Miles Davis transcription book he recommended today and in the future.
I really apologize that I wasn't able to pay my respects to Danny and meet your family, but we may hook up eventually and maybe even play a gig together.
He also did a lot of great masterclasses, and got me hooked on Miles Davis transcription books.
I'm really sorry I was never able to pay my last respects at the funeral home, but I will keep him and your family in my prayers
Thanks again for making that picture tribute for your dad.
Sincerely,
Ed Skirtich
Trumpet Player/Artistic Director/Jazz Workshop, Inc.
ejskirtich@comcast.net
(412) 422-4149 (H)
(412) 841-8046 (C)
Feb 23, 2009
Bruce C
Feb 23, 2009
Valerio Gianferro
Sixlips
Valerio Gianferro
Feb 23, 2009
Max Leake
Feb 23, 2009
Roger Dannenberg
Thanks for putting up those pictures of your dad. I had the privilege of playing with him many times and always admired his playing and spirit -- when Danny was on the gig, you always knew there would be some great playing and everyone would be happy.
-Roger
Feb 23, 2009
Reid Hoyson
These are great pictures that you are sharing with us. Your dad was such an important part of this jazz community. He truly was a teacher, as others have mentioned. He was always respectful in the process. He touched many, his spirit is strong.
Thanks,
Reid Hoyson
Feb 23, 2009
Virgil Walters
Thanks for sharing.
Virgil
Feb 24, 2009