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
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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!
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
from May to December.... but the daze grow short, when you reach September"
And the sweet lyrics of Maxwell Anderson mean as much today as when Kurt Weill put them to music in 1938. My favorite version will always be Billy Eckstein's. Here is a link to hear his incredible performance:
https://youtu.be/baP_cFd8j4E
For me.... I hope I get some precious daze with you sometime soon.
My shows that I have lined up are…
Added by Phat Man Dee on September 2, 2016 at 7:23pm — No Comments
THE PITTSBURGH SOUND
Thoughts by Nelson E. Harrison, Ph.D.
The jazz tradition in Pittsburgh began in the first decade of the 20th century establishing it as one of the earliest caldrons of refinement and influence in the primeval development of its…
ContinueAdded by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 31, 2016 at 4:30pm — 55 Comments
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 29, 2016 at 5:06pm — No Comments
Who is WKCR but, more importantly, why listen?
The station's Jazz programming concept is unique. At its foundation is an extensive Jazz archive (on premises), which houses a vast collection of Jazz music, Jazz interviews and Jazz music rarities. (Thelonious Monk's FIRST recording BEFORE he ever recorded is housed in the archive!) The WKCR concept also stresses the importance of nurturing a new Jazz audience. Students involved at KCR are mentored by Jazz experts. The students are…
ContinueAdded by Melissa Jones on August 26, 2016 at 1:55pm — No Comments
WKCR.org can be accessed at:
https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/
Go to upper right corner and click "Listen Now"
Also note: WKCR is currently airing the Rudy Van Gelder Memorial Broadcast.
Added by Melissa Jones on August 26, 2016 at 11:49am — No Comments
The Lester Young and Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration
Aug. 27, 28,&29
WKCR.org will present continuous, commercial-free radio, celebrating the birth anniversaries of Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Beginning August 27th, the genius of Pres and Bird will be displayed through Jazz rarities, interviews, expert commentary and, of course, their glorious music. Phil Schaap, Jazz historian and…
ContinueAdded by Melissa Jones on August 24, 2016 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments
Because of all of your help and support we have been able to make all of the required renovations to the historic Ballroom. It has truly been an amazing turn around, and all of us at James Street…
ContinueAdded by Dr. Nelson Harrison on August 22, 2016 at 6:47pm — No Comments
Added by Gansta Marcus on August 4, 2016 at 12:46am — No Comments
I’ve had two lessons with Charles McPherson when on tour in San Diego. They have been utterly remarkable. The second one from last fall I taped: Thanks to Charles for allowing this transcription to be published on DTM.
This week Charles is playing at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola Thursday through Sunday. It is a must-see gig for lovers of the…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 29, 2016 at 6:32pm — 1 Comment
Hi All,
For The Glassblock, I am filming solo performers playing two short pieces (1-5 minutes) for a series called Close-Up. The series places two cameras and a two mics in front of a performer to capture the performance.
Here's an example with Alejandro Pinzon.
http://theglassblock.com/2016/06/27/close-up-alejandro-pinzon-part-1/
The series…
ContinueAdded by David Bernabo on July 27, 2016 at 4:15pm — No Comments
Hi everyone, back at the Backstage Bar by popular demand! Friday, July 22, 5 - 7:30 performing music by Stevie Wonder (whom I drummed for back in the day), Steely Dan, Kirk Whalum, etc. Come on out for some great music, food and beverages.
Added by Kai Ballard on July 20, 2016 at 1:43am — No Comments
Returning to Road (Difference II Zoom Destello esferizar Inv.Polar)
Returning to Road (Difference Zoom Destello esferiza Overlay Hard Lightr Inv.Polar II)…
Added by Marta Graciela Bressi on July 19, 2016 at 11:53pm — No Comments
A new festival celebrates Daphne Oram, Laurie Spiegel and other female synth…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on July 3, 2016 at 4:49am — No Comments
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on June 30, 2016 at 3:27am — 1 Comment
We're doing it again at Jaki Young's Jazz on the Steps at Carnegie Library, Homewood, this Wednesday, June 8, 5:30 - 7. We will perform music of Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, David Sanborn. It's going to be a wonderful day for music. Come and enjoy.
Added by Kai Ballard on June 6, 2016 at 3:23am — No Comments
I hear that some of you are unhappy with the way some things are done on this site. Early in my membership, I too had questions and concerns. I asked Nelson about them and he gladly responded and solved any issues I had here. In part, because of this site and others like it, I find myself performing quite a bit, as some of you know. And I ain't no "monster player" but I get the job done and paid a "fair buck". 'Just sayin'.
I use to get inundated with emails on my cell phone. …
ContinueAdded by SOUTHSIDE JERRY MELLIX on May 30, 2016 at 3:22pm — 1 Comment
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on May 30, 2016 at 5:00am — 4 Comments
ATTENTION!!!!
The Afro-American-Music-Institute is having a TWO week MUSIC summer camp from June 28th through July 12th...9am to 3pm . All you have to pay is a registration fee of only $25 dollars for your child and that's it. If your kids already have summer plans then spread the…
Added by Dr. Nelson Harrison on May 29, 2016 at 3:00am — No Comments
Thankfully my entire family was out of town.... no humans were home. While we sadly lost 2 kitties and a pet hamster, my sister, her partner Oliver, my nephews and niece and their housemate were all off at Louie's cabin in Pymatuning. They found out their home was on fire over facebook. I found out when my mother called me while Vinsantos (director of the New Orleans Drag Workshop) was explaining that to…
ContinueAdded by Phat Man Dee on May 25, 2016 at 4:13pm — No Comments
Marta Graciela Bressi
Announcing the all new SeeMe,
with a new opportunity to exhibit your work.…
Added by Marta Graciela Bressi on May 20, 2016 at 12:51am — No Comments
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