Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
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PITTSBURGH JAZZ
From Blakey to Brown, Como to Costa, Eckstine to Eldridge, Galbraith to Garner, Harris to Hines, Horne to Hyman, Jamal to Jefferson, Kelly to Klook; Mancini to Marmarosa, May to Mitchell, Negri to Nestico, Parlan to Ponder, Reed to Ruther, Strayhorn to Sullivan, Turk to Turrentine, Wade to Williams… the forthcoming publication Treasury of Pittsburgh Jazz Connections by Dr. Nelson Harrison and Dr. Ralph Proctor, Jr. will document the legacy of one of the world’s greatest jazz capitals.
Do you want to know who Dizzy Gillespie idolized? Did you ever wonder who inspired Kenny Clarke and Art Blakey? Who was the pianist that mentored Monk, Bud Powell, Tad Dameron, Elmo Hope, Sarah Vaughan and Mel Torme? Who was Art Tatum’s idol and Nat Cole’s mentor? What musical quartet pioneered the concept adopted later by the Modern Jazz Quartet? Were you ever curious to know who taught saxophone to Stanley Turrentine or who taught piano to Ahmad Jamal? What community music school trained Robert McFerrin, Sr. for his history-making debut with the Metropolitan Opera? What virtually unknown pianist was a significant influence on young John Coltrane, Shirley Scott, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Timmons and Ray Bryant when he moved to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh in the 1940s? Would you be surprised to know that Erroll Garner attended classes at the Julliard School of Music in New York and was at the top of his class in writing and arranging proficiency?
Some answers can be gleaned from the postings on the Pittsburgh Jazz Network.
For almost 100 years the Pittsburgh region has been a metacenter of jazz originality that is second to no other in the history of jazz. One of the best kept secrets in jazz folklore, the Pittsburgh Jazz Legacy has heretofore remained mythical. We have dubbed it “the greatest story never told” since it has not been represented in writing before now in such a way as to be accessible to anyone seeking to know more about it. When it was happening, little did we know how priceless the memories would become when the times were gone.
Today jazz is still king in Pittsburgh, with events, performances and activities happening all the time. The Pittsburgh Jazz Network is dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the places, artists and fans that carry on the legacy of Pittsburgh's jazz heritage.
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INTERVIEW
-
Ed Skirtich
- Male
- Pittsburgh, PA
- United States
- Blog Posts (4)
- Events
- Groups (5)
- Photos (1)
- Photo Albums
- Videos
Ed Skirtich's Groups
Ed Skirtich's Page
Profile Information
- Pittsburgh Connection
- I'm born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. My parents, Loretta Eichenlaub Skirtich and Joe Skirtich, taught at Fifth Avenue High School. My Dad also taught at Connelley High School and Brashear High School. My Mom taught at Carrick High School. My Dad passed away in 1992. My Mom is surviving.
- Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
- I enjoy The Tony Campbell Quartet, Sean Jones, and Roger Humphries RH Factor and Roger Humphries Big Band.
- Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
- WDUQ 90.5 FM
- Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
- CJ's in The Strip District
- About Me:
- I grew up in the suburb of Brentwood , PA with my deceased father, Joe; Mom, Loretta; older brothers John (a Roman Catholic priest for Diocese of Pittsburgh), and Paul (works in D.C. for the U. S. Gov't.); Rose Anne Skirtich- Popovich and her husband Tim Popovich (both U.S. Air Force retired), and their four children, John Paul Popovich (my nephew and God Son) and Maria Agnes Popovich (my neice) and Elizabeth Anne Popovich (my neice) and Mark Joseph Popovich (my new nephew), and my youngest brother Peter, who resides in Los Angeles, CA and works for Boeing.
I grew up with my family in Brentwood, PA and went through Brentwood School District.
My music education consisted of Elroy Elementary School, Brentwood High School, Carnegie Mellon University's Music Prep School, Duquesne University's Summer Music Camps, University of Pittsburgh Jazz Studies Program (I received an English Writing Certificate), and West Virginia University (I received a Bachelor's of Music Performance/Music Education Degree from WVU).
My music performance and music education experience has been awesome.
I've performed with the Tim Bassett Big Band, and Ray Ryan's New Orleans Riverside Band, the Jazz Workshop, Inc. Jazz Ensembles,Guaracha Latin Dance Bands, and St. Paul's Cathdral's Music Ministry.
I currently play with Puttin' On The Ritz Big Band, Dynasty, Tony Campbell Quartet Jam Sessions, University of Pittsburgh's Kuntu Repertory Theatre's Orchestra, and Madonna Del Castello Music Ministry.
I also worked very hard at my position of Artistic Director of Jazz Workshop, Inc. My duties included running the JWS School of Music, developing Outreach Programs, and conducting and producing Family Night Concerts, which I did from September 2003-November 2010.
I teach brass lessons, using both classical and jazz techniques, at my new studio.
I'm single and reside in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA with my Mom and brother, Fr. John.
- Artist or Fan
- industry professional
Ed Skirtich's Photos
Ed Skirtich's Blog
Teaching Trumpet Lessons Again
Posted on June 5, 2011 at 11:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hi Everyone,
I hope all is well.
I wanted to let everyone know I'm teaching trumpet students again in my new rebuilt studio.
I'm getting around better and back to playing trumpet again.
I teach all styles from classical to jazz.
Please feel free to call for more info.
Musically,
Ed Skirtich
(412)…
ContinueThank You For Your Thoughts And Prayers
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:30pm 4 Comments 3 Likes
Dear Dr. Nelson Harrison and All Members:
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during my brutal hospital stays.
All your thoughts and prayers paid off 'cause I'm playing trumpet again.
Also, I'll be teaching lessons to trumpet and trombone players who want to play classical and jazz in my new studio in Greenfield, PA.
I plan on returning to bands too.
Thanks again for everything.
It has always…
ContinueKeep Your Cool
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 1:56am 0 Comments 0 Likes
The music business can definitely be a bitter place.
It can be so bitter that even a family member can steal, lie, and cheat you out of a gig.
Why is it that we have to cut people up and belittle them?
Why is it that when you finally get a gig folks want to cut into your program or cut you out?
Be happy and be proud when somebody gets a gig.
When you see a friend or somebody you might know who posts that he or she is… Continue
Jazz Workshop, Inc. Article on Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Website
Posted on June 25, 2009 at 4:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
There's a terrific video of Jazz Workshop, Inc.on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website.
Check it out!
Let me know what you think!
Musically,
Ed Skirtich
ejskirtich@comcast.net
(412) 422-4149 (H)
(412) 841-8046 (C)
© 2024 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
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Welcome back Ed,
We're so happy to see you back on the scene. It pays to believe in the miracle of prayer.
Hope you are doing better; we are all praying for you.
Jerry Lucarelli
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