Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/building-today-for-tomorrow/x/267428
Pain Relief Beyond Belief
http://www.komehsaessentials.com/
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.
WELCOME!
Groups
Badge
Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
Gifts Received
Michael J Karr has not received any gifts yet
Michael J Karr's Page
Profile Information
- Pittsburgh Connection
- Dr.Nelson Harrison
- Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
- Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Ponder, George Benson,Billy Eckinstine, Ron Tucker, Roger (Dad) Humphries,Phyllis Hyman, Sandy Staley, Lena Horne, Art Blakey, Erroll Garner, Billy Strayhorn, Roy Eldrige, Kenny Clarke, Paul Chambers, Eric kloss, David Budway, Dr. Mike Taylor,Sean Jones, Dr. Nelson Harrison, Everyone at the Hill House. And so many more that I can't name.//*** Always push to create that new moment, for without effort, pain and progression you miss the miracle that lies within and the key to moving forward.~MKARR
- Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
- WBGO, and many more.
- About Me:
- Management:
Anthony Hammond
Abraham Clements Agency™
403 Miami Street - Loft
Urbana, OH 43078
tel. 937.896.6196
email: anthony@abeclementsagency.org
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, My father being a musician I began playing the piano and trumpet at the age 0f nine. My father first took me to Westly Ward for lessons; unfortunately he told my father that I just didn't have the chops to play the trumpet and that I should play the Trombone or something else lol. I had ran into him several years later and as I proceeded to step to him and remind him about our first meeting,....ha ha, let's just say he was rather embarrassed. Fortunately I began studying with Michael Marracino (may he rest in peace) a wonderful trumpet player. I had also studied with Jerry Luccarelli on piano. I was very blessed and had a lot of opportunities at that time so I was very busy, sitting in as well as performing with various groups. I had made my first professional recording at the age of eleven and again at twelve. I now have recorded over 40 records. I can remember my father taking me to every Jam session around town at that time. Al Dowe's, John Papi's,( forgive me for the misspelling's of the names) Saturday's over in East Liberty, to name just a few. My father is a great man, he himself was a part of the music scene 20 years earlier and had played with George Benson himself as well.
Eventually I became a prominent part of the music and jazz scene in Pittsburgh and was extremely busy with the Karrtet and the other groups I had worked with. I had pretty much had gigged in every club,festival and major venue in the Tri sate area. I had also gotten into doing commercials(jingle's) in town at TPC and had moved over to WAMO. Along with running The Michael Karrtet I also worked with Spider Rondenelli and the Pittsburgh Jazz Giants who became a very close friend, I found his antics to quite entertaining, by no means a gimcrack. I also dug the way he would swing his ride and play brushes when he was on. A funny cat all around! I had already been familiar with Randy Purcell who was part of the group from time to time, and had taken an interest in my playing and future. Since Randy was at C M U he had me enrolled when I was fourteen years old, which I studied under his direction while still performing at night. I had also drawn the attention of Duquesne University where I received another full scholarship which was somewhat of a conundrum for me because I felt I would be betraying not only Randy but the very sweet people at C M U at that time. Things eventually had worked themselves out and I ended up at Duquesne. I was still performing at night both with a Top 40 band and playing jazz as much as I could. I was still extremely busy but I gave it my all. As the years passed and my reputation had grown to be very committed and dependable so Dr. Nathan Davis had invited me to Pitt to help out with his jazz band. I had enjoyed myself and had a lot fun working with him. I had been established as both a Jazz musician and as a touring multi-instrumentalist with Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band. We had done the Free at Last recording where I wrote many songs, but on the record I wrote Real Time and Living with a stranger. After Billy had thrown in the towel, I of course realized I had to eventually move and take my career to the next level, so I moved to New York City. That is just a little about who I am and just a small amount of what I've done.
As I have stated I am a Multi-instrumentalist, Producer, Audio Engineer, Music software specialist(DAWS) Recording artist, Programmer, Composer, Lyricist, Vocalist, Owner of AlaKarr Productions, and I have my own studio. I am a critically acclaimed award wining trumpet player and musician. I was the first to start recording live for WDUQ for Chuck Leavens, Leavens productions, I also worked as a producer / recording artist for The Sheridan Broadcasting Network (WAMO) under David Benard and 3c records which I wrote performed and produced TOP 30 U.S.A. for Donnie Simpson (BET) aired 164 station and several others worldwide. I was nominated for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust thanks to Tony Mowod. I also received several other awards. I also had performed with another popular local group called Modern Man playing keyboards, trumpet and vocals. After a brief sabbatical, I then moved to New York City where I have been for the past 18 years where I have performed with many of the worlds greatest musicians which you can look up on my web site // www.michaelkarr.com // You can also hear some of the records I have made, there is a really good diversity there that I'm sure everyone will like. I recently have made another record with Houston Pearson, and I have 3 more that will be almost complete. I'm very blessed and I thank all of my friends and true brothers! Also to my dear friends who have passed, I surely miss and I pray that their families are all well! As I have stated before there is more information on my web site. Please feel free to visit I thank you all! Peace and love.
Michael Karr
Alakarr Productions
917.450.9671
michael@michaelkarr.com
www.michaelkarr.com
- Website:
- http://www.michaelkarr.com
- Artist or Fan
- industry professional
Michael J Karr's Photos
© 2024 Created by Dr. Nelson Harrison.
Powered by
Comment Wall (1 comment)
You need to be a member of Pittsburgh Jazz Network to add comments!
Join Pittsburgh Jazz Network
Hello, Am Diana, I really want to have a good friendship with you. i have something special i want to discuses with you. You can get back to me, directly to my e-mail. (debydiana355@yahoo.co.uk).