A Darpa grant given to Kelland Thomas of the University of Arizona will fund the creation of musical machines that learn to improvise like jazz musicians…
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.
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Featured Blog Posts (740)
Queen of Soul delivers powerful performance at Heinz Hall
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 28, 2015 at 4:30pm — No Comments
Home again, home again, jiggity jig, I went to the market to buy a phat...hey!!!
Friends, I am home.... it has been months..... I came home last week actually, but I had a show in NY and didn't actually return to my home til a couple days ago. Been getting settled, cleaning house, doing laundry, getting reacquainted with my dog, Mr. Pumpkinseed, cooking for the Amoeba....
The last 10 days of my journey were spent in the UK. I went…
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Added by Phat Man Dee on August 28, 2015 at 5:39am — No Comments
ROBO-BOP???? What do you think?
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 24, 2015 at 2:30am — 4 Comments
WCJS RADIO PRESENTS THE ANDREW AND MARY P. O'NEAL CARES PROJECT BENEFIT CONCERT
WCJS RADIO AND THE ANDREW AND MARY P. O'NEAL CARES PROJECT CONCERT TO BENEFIT GHANAIAN MOTHERS' HOPE AND INNOCENTS AT RISK SAVE THE DATE
! On September 19, 2015, WCJS Radio and The Andrew and Mary P. O'Neal Cares Project will sponsor a benefit concert featuring DC's own, Lori…
ContinueAdded by Marta Graciela Bressi on August 14, 2015 at 10:38pm — No Comments
Almost at the end of our journey, 2 new videos up this week!
Dearest friends and supporters! I am currently in Scotland, at the Edinburgh Fringe, it is a festival unlike any I have ever attended. The city is filled with artists and performers from all over the world. 3000 shows are happening right now, and there are industry professionals who book, manage, produce performances of every genre and medium imaginable, all looking for new projects to work with. It is wildly exciting. I have so many ideas for what I am going to bring here next year and the…
ContinueAdded by Phat Man Dee on August 15, 2015 at 4:39pm — 3 Comments
What You Will Find When You Search For Your Music Online
Indie Artist Insider, Indie Artists, SongCast University
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Many of you have already answered the question “how do I get my music on…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 10, 2015 at 5:51pm — No Comments
Maxine Sullivan Way
On Monday August 10, 2015 at 10:00am, Mayor DiBlasio of New York City will sign the bill co-naming Ritter Place, "Maxine Sullivan Way." I am grateful that my mother is being honored this way. She lived on this street for over 40 years. The event will take place at City Hall. Official unveiling date is yet to be determined but within the next three months.…
ContinueAdded by Paula Morris on August 8, 2015 at 2:55pm — 3 Comments
Mary Lou Williams in One Word: 'The Lady Who Swings The Band
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 2, 2015 at 9:00pm — 2 Comments
Penn State New Kensington Welcomes Jazz Exhibit - February - 2015
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 30, 2015 at 6:23am — No Comments
Jazz Trends
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 23, 2015 at 3:00am — No Comments
Billie Holiday: Honoring her life, talent and her Centennial by Kirk Silsbee
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 21, 2015 at 7:30pm — 2 Comments
Howard McGhee Talks Fats Navarro
An incredibly interesting, 14 part interview with Howard McGhee discussing and reminiscing about Fats Navarro has just been posted (6/14/2015). The interview(s) was conducted in 1977-78. What a remarkable piece of jazz information and history!
Added by Melissa Jones on July 14, 2015 at 4:01pm — 1 Comment
Phat Man Dee got outta than y'all! 2 weeks! 6 cities, 4 countries, a month to go!
I have been going at it hard, friends! I have seen some truly amazing things, met some incredible musicians, crossed some phenomenal bridges, big small, old, new.... sung with some delightful people and made some wonderful new friends and fans! It has been a very difficult and emotionally wrought journey, but…
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Added by Phat Man Dee on July 14, 2015 at 12:06pm — No Comments
HARAMBEE UHIMA Black Arts & Culture Festival
HARAMBEE UJIMA
Black Arts & Culture Festival
On Kelly Street |…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 13, 2015 at 6:24pm — No Comments
Pay the Band - An Open Letter to Apple from Taylor Swift
To Apple, Love Taylor
I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music…
ContinueAdded by Dr. Nelson Harrison on June 23, 2015 at 3:12am — 1 Comment
Pittsburgh Jazz Celebration kicks off a big week of music at Heinz Hall
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on June 17, 2015 at 6:36am — No Comments
AAMI Boys Choir Home Coming Alumni Concert “A Tribute to Fathers”
Afro American Music Institute Presents…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on June 16, 2015 at 7:11pm — No Comments
RIP Ornette in the groove time of forever. Art By Adamo.
Added by Frank Black on June 12, 2015 at 11:44pm — 1 Comment
From Timbuktu to the Mississippi Delta (Pt. 1)
POSTED ON DECEMBER 1, 2010 BY THE INDEPENDENT EAR Guitarist-educator, and now author, Pascal (Bokar) Thiam aims to broaden the historical timeline of blues and jazz well beyond the romantic notion of ‘up the Mississippi from New Orleans…’ Though I had the pleasure of spinning Pascal’s in-performance ’07 CD Savannah Jazz Club on radio, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him until about two months ago at the first in a series of book signing & reading events for African Rhythms: the…
ContinueAdded by Dr. Nelson Harrison on April 5, 2015 at 1:00am — No Comments
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