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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Jack Cenna

Nelson, Will you please forward the contact info about Randy Purcell once more. I must have erased your first message. Thanks, Jack Cenna

Feb 9, 2009
Jack Cenna

Nelson, I would love to have the collection of the Pgh. jazz greats cards. Would you please let me know where I can purchase the collection and how much the cost. Thanks, Jack Cenna

Feb 10, 2009
Bob Parknavy

Thank you Nelson...if I may ask...what are Randy's health issues?
I believe that I sat in with you and Randy's quartet at the Holiday Inn Oakland about 12 years ago.

Feb 11, 2009
Jere B

Thanks Nelson - Check out www.soundoctrine.com - check our Jazz out and ask Kevin Amos about us. We've only played the Burgh once and still awaiting our turn at bat...

Peace & Blessings!

Feb 11, 2009
Ayaba

Yes I was up until 6 this morning clicking one thing after another. I saw the number 1 of the metaphysics. I am going to grab a salad and look at the rest in a few moments.

Feb 12, 2009
Louise

Thank you so much, Nelson!

Feb 13, 2009
Ricco J.L.Martello

yes sir I will do that I have boxing matches to go and shoot right now and then I will be in the Club photographing sum models and then it will be around 2am sop I will have to work on that 2marow sum time after I shoot an afro-american month event at reinzie park in mckeesport on sunday but I have a lot o fjazz and jazz players from pittsburgh to post a couple of slide shows... Thank you for inviting me on the site and thank you for adding me!!! I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ricco ; )
Ricco ; )
J.L.Martello
"Just Love"

Award Winning International Independent
Freelance Photographer
contacts....
412-583-6901
www.myspace.com/18ricco
www.myearbook.com/freelancer07
www.youtube.com/18ricco

Feb 14, 2009
Vincent Sylvain

I am just trying to do my part in kepping New Orleans music alive.

Feb 17, 2009
Max Lesko

Greetings Nelson!
Congratulations on your dynamic jazz network. As a fan who loves jazz, it is a pleasure for me to be part of this creative, fresh expression. Thank you for including me.
Max Lesko

Feb 18, 2009
tim max

is a pleasure to me be your friend my brother ,a hugs for you and your family

Feb 21, 2009
PATI VARGAS ENTERTAINMENT

Gracias Nelson, I am sure working together we will bring de aya pa'ca y de aqui pa'ya excellent music, un abrazo.

Feb 21, 2009
Ashley

Hey Nelson,
I am so glad to here from you. Thanks for writing back. I'm looking forword to learning and seeing The Blues Orphans again at Billy's or just anywhere else!!! Thank you for telling me about your trombetto last night! Write back!!
Ashley

Feb 22, 2009
Lorraine

Hello Nelson,
Yes Derrick or D as I called him was a wonderful wonderful person and a extraordinary artist. He will be greatly missed. I will do what I can to helo you in anyway possible, just hit me up and let me know. I don't have many pics beside what was in our year book and he was all thru that. But anyway I can help let me know.
Lorraine

Feb 22, 2009
Ashley

Thank you for telling me those people. I will surely ask them to be my friends. Your band was awesome on Friday. I never did get to tell you that. My step-Dad , Scott, has been bugging me to pick up my violin ever since I quit, so yesterday , Saturday, I picked it up and not to be bragging but, I'm still pretty good. Write back!!!!

Ashley

Feb 22, 2009
selena brookins

thankyou everyone for your thoughts and prayers. i don't have a camera yet and just learning to use the computor. needless to say everyone is in a state of shock... the good die young and derrick was excellent young man. again thankyou.

Feb 22, 2009
Ashley

Be true to yourself, never give up, and follow your own dreams!!
Ashley

Feb 23, 2009
Janie Gust

Thank you for the warm welcome, Nelson. I found the Pittsburgh Jazz Network after following a link to read your latest blog "The Commercial State of Jazz in the New Millennium" which I found very insightful. On a sadder note, I wish to convey my sympathy over the loss of Derrick Finch who was a an extremely gifted and accomplished young man.

This all underscores how important it is that we have places where we can stay in touch and communicate...and for this reason I am most grateful to have found your place, Nelson. Pittsburgh has such a rich history and that legacy shall and must continue. I look forward to reading more of your writings and thanks again.

Best wishes,
Janie

Feb 23, 2009
tim max

HAVE A NICE WEEK,A HUGS

Feb 23, 2009
selena brookins

dear nelson, thankyou for accepting me as a member and to the best of myability i will always keep cerricks memory alive..hes in my heart and i have very fond memories of him and his dad. please excuse me but im 56years yong and just about no knowledge of this computor, I work in a hospital doing graveyard work. i dont't have a camera now but plan on it soon. truthly speaking i havent seen derrick inyears, since my brother died in 1996. somehow his carrer just took off without me knowing. we always knew derrick would be a dr of somekind, but what. he always stayed an a student and knew where he was headed. I on the other hand knew he would be important, because he took after his dad. intellgent and smart. through the years and family we would hear bits and pieces about ther ini

Feb 23, 2009
Ashley

Thanks for saying that! It's nice to know you to Nelson!!!!!
Ashley

Feb 25, 2009
selena brookins

thankyou for the soulful sounds of that beautiful jazz...... i want so much to attend, my schudule doesn't allow me to attend a lot of good outings.thoses graveyard shifts can ruin a women social life.. still waiting for info on derrick. i'm sure you'llfind out before me

Feb 25, 2009
Edward

I haven't scratched your surface yet...but Sir, it is an honor!
EA

Feb 25, 2009
Courtney

Hello Nelson,
Have any funeral arrangements been made for Derrick Finch yet in PA? A group from DC would like to attend.

Feb 25, 2009
Courtney

I appreciate it.... I wrote to Mr. Felder as well. We are going through PA this weekend and if it is scheduled for this weekend we want to definately stop through Piitsburgh.

Feb 25, 2009
tina

Feb 26, 2009
Dr. Otto Gomez

Thank you, Mr. Harrison for your kind words and encouragement. It is people like you that keep me pushing for excellence. I'm contemplating that I will be able to perform with some of you Jazz Greats one day. I'm always willing to learn new things with new people. Until we speak again, God Bless.

Dr. Otto

Feb 26, 2009
Virgil Walters

Nelson,
How do I do a mass email for any up comming gigs on the Pittsburgh Jazz Network?
Virgil

Feb 26, 2009
Valerio Gianferro

Thank you Nelson!!!!!!!! I'm glad for your comment and I hope that my music like to many people, too!
I'll request friendship to people you have teach me.
Valerio Gianferro
Sixlips

Feb 26, 2009
Clayton "Bigtrigger" Corley

Thank you Nelson. I'm going to contribute and get in where I fit in as much as possible. The site is wonderful and it's an honor to be a part!

Feb 26, 2009
Vincent Sylvain

Well you certainly have the entire lineup. I will pass on your well wishes!

Feb 27, 2009
ladyruth

Hi Nelson thanks for the invite

Feb 27, 2009
Saunie Liggins

Hello Nelson. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Feb 27, 2009
Louis Moore

Thanks for the info, Dr. Harrison. I will take your advice.

Feb 27, 2009
Greg

'miles' just arrived in the mail today from amazon... it was only 5 bucks! looking forward to reading it, but not till I finish 'make the impossible possible' by bill strickland (i'm sure you're familiar); just started today and am already about halfway thru, i like it a lot! aren't you working on a book?

Feb 28, 2009
Diva JC

Nelson Harrison was my guest on my MUSICWOMAN LIVE! podcast on February 18, about
THE STATE OF JAZZ with other notable jazz aficianado's and musicians. This show is archived at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musicwoman/va/2009/02/18/the-state-of-... Hope to do this show with you again, soon. Love and Music, Joan Cartwright
www.wijsf.com/radio.com www.wijsf.com

Feb 28, 2009
Sandra Stone Morgan

After writing to you for more than an hour, I lost it somewhere. My computer must have eaten it. I'm quite fatigued. I'll write to you tomorrow. Love the Jazz. Am now going to go to my quiet place.
God, I'm glad to have reconnected with you. I;m so proud of you Dr Harrison.
I'll discuss "metaphysics" with you tomorrow. Am now listening to a tune called' "You can kiss my ass." A good mix. Reminds me of my gospel moments at Ebenezer. I want to share my thoughts with you regarding silence, music, nursing, death, birth, hollow air, quiet energy, the house that a soul lives in, music embracing death or vice versa, running water,stars, the ocean etc and many more subjects. They are all a part of "Metaphysics"
of what we are to our lives and the relationships. God, the network music is great. I think I'll leave it one on for a while.
Love
Sandy

Mar 2, 2009
Sandra Stone Morgan

Also, please forgive my spelling errors. I recovered my speech, writing skills, reading skills. But spelling?......................who cares

Mar 2, 2009
selena brookins

R.I.P. derrick ill rma the goodtimes.....T.Y. mr. harrison for your wonderful music. my heart saddens for my family for losing a excellent person. i will remember him as he was and what he has become. T.Y. for being his friend and now mine... right now duty calls on saving lives...ill try to catch you on th. or fri.

Mar 3, 2009
selena brookins

d.r. finch was the fine gentleman i new he would be. he's my angle now and i will never forget him born my mothers b d my brothers son, my newphew i see his hansome face. servies are at sprigg and watson 4-7 wed.and masonic service at 7p. interment thur starting at 11a at st benedict the moor 91 crawford in the hill distict

Mar 3, 2009
selena brookins

ck out pgh post gazette for signing the book of dr.finch. please pass it on. they have until midnight.

Mar 3, 2009
Muddy Kreek Blues Band

Nelson I have invited you to come out to hear our new blues band but you have yet to make it. We are playing at the INN' TERMISSION on the south side starting March 15, sunday at 9:30pm. What do we have to do to get you to come out and support this new blues nite..?? We are all members of this effort to support each other,but i see things a little different.

Mar 6, 2009
jim dispirito

Nelson ... thanks for the kind words ... it is great to share a space with so many wonderful musicians here in Pittsburgh. Be well.

Jim

Mar 11, 2009
tim max

hello nelson ,have a nice week

Mar 12, 2009
DOLORES PETERSEN

Deepest Condolences on the loss of Dr. Derrick Finch.
If you know of anyone in the Los Angeles area who knew Derrick, we are having a celebration of his life at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill
6122 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

Mar 14, 2009
Clayton "Bigtrigger" Corley

Good evening Nelson. Hope you have a great week!

Mar 16, 2009
Sonja Abate

Dear Nelson,

My email address is sonavan@aol.com. I would appreciate it very much if you would email the phone numbers or email addresses of the relatives of Derrick's. I would love to talk with them, especially Derrick's mother, so perhaps we can share our grief together. As a mother, I know what she must be going through. Mothers and sons always have a very special bond.

Rhonda returned home on Friday, the 13th again after suffering pulmonary emboli in both lungs, probably the result of being in bed for so long. It will be a month tomorrow and she is showing some improvement daily but it is hard to get her to move a lot since she is still in so much pain. I really have to insist she get up for short walks to prevent any further clots from forming. It kills me to see her suffer so, but we are so thankful she is going to come through this. Every day is a blessing.

Thank you so much for you kind words. I only wish Rhonda, who loves jazz, could meet all of you talented people. She would be in her glory.

Sonja Abate

Mar 16, 2009
Bill Lawson

Mar 17, 2009
Irene Brautigam

Hello Nelson
"The sound of Silence pregnant"! Great words! Sort of like "Did God mean for us to ride the waves of life or just lay on the sand and complain about the sun? (first are yours and second are mine.) Have a great week!
Irene

Mar 19, 2009
Sonja Abate

Nelson,

You are a very dear man for all your kind and comforting words. Rhonda continues to show signs of improvement daily and each day is a ray of sunshine for us. She took a little walk in the sunshine today out in the back yard but tires so easily. We are indeed fortunate to live in a warm climate so she can feel the warmth on her body. All in all, she is so fortunate. This is only a temporary situation and we are looking forward to the day when she is back to her warm and smiling self. One day at a time.

Sonja

Mar 22, 2009
David Powell

Thank you!
Looking forward to visiting your city some day soon.
When are the good Jazz Festivals happening?

Mar 23, 2009

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