October 11, 2019 marks the CENTENNIAL of Pittsburgh Jazz icon Art Blakey.  Although a highly skilled and imaginative drummer, Blakey was a pioneer in Hard Bop. 

If you are unaware of Art Blakey, now's the time to find out more! If you are aware, raise your glass in honor of a true Jazz Giant!

The Hot Club of France was formed in 1935 by Charles Delaunay and Hugues Panassie. Initially, its goal was to provide a congenial atmosphere where Jazz enthusiasts could gather and listen to 78 rpm recordings.  In the mid-1930's, the European Jazz community had little access to current American Jazz music. Fans, dependent on each other, shared current titles at the club for all to savor and enjoy. The Hot Club of France blossomed, worldwide, into small listening clubs, eventually expanding…

Hot Club on the Air, new radio programming, emanating from WKCR, New York, will be presenting the music of Pittsburgh's own, Maxine Sullivan, LIVE, this Monday (7/22) from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM.  Host, Matthew "Fat Cat" Rivera will present, in most cases, Maxine's music via the original 78 RPM format.  Providing personal insight into Maxine's career will be her daughter, Paula Morris. Rarities will be heard from the Roy Eldridge Collection (WKCR archives) featuring Maxine, Roy Eldridge,…

HOT CLUB on the Air, new radio programming, emanating from New York's WQCR will be featuring the music of Pittsburgh's own, Maxine Sullivan, this Monday (7/22) from 12:00 noon until 3:00 PM. The three hour LIVE broadcast will include host Matthew "Fat Cat" Rivera and guest Paula Morris, Maxine's daughter, discussing Maxine's music and career. In most instances, the original recordings, via the 78 RPM format will be heard. Rarities from the Roy Eldridge Collection (WKCR archives)  featuring…

January 30th marks the 108th birth anniversary of the incomparable, Roy Eldridge. To those aware of Roy Eldridge and his genius, I needn't go further. For those unaware, his skill as a trumpet player, is marked with  a fierce bravado coupled with a relaxed sense of swing. Roy Eldridge's genius can not be permitted to disappear through lackof interest and lack of understanding. Tune in to: WKCR.org on Wednesday, January 30th ALL DAY and hear Roy's music. A special presentation on Pittsburgh's…

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five recorded "A Monday Date" on June 28, 1928, (OKeh, 8609).  The personnel included, Louis Armstrong (tr, v), Fred Robinson (tb), Jimmy Strong (cl, ts), Mancy Carr (bj), Zutty Singleton (dr) AND Pittsburgh GREAT, Earl Hines, composer and pianist.

On this 4th of July, (Louis' traditional birthday) why not reflect on the magnitude of Louis, by listening to "A Monday Date"? …

"In 1934, in Pittsburgh, I heard and saw the Ellington band perform for my first time.  Nothing, before or since has affected my life so much. In 1939, I became his protégé, enabling me to be closer and see more.

His first, last and only formal instruction for me was embodied in one word: observe. I did just that, and came to know one of the most fascinating and original minds in American music.

Billy Strayhorn, Down Beat, Nov. 5, 1952

Sunday, April 29, 2018…

The neo-Hot Club movement is dedicated to promoting Jazz listening and appreciation through group listening, via the 78 rpm format (think book club concept). Recently, I attended a meeting in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, curated by young Matthew Rivera, a senior at Columbia University. His topic was the music of Pittsburgh great, Earl Hines. The audience was young (SURPRISE!), and exhibited an enthusiasm and understanding that music is not old or new, but in the present.  Louis Armstrong's 1928…

Happy Birthday + 1 (12/28/1903 - 4/22/1983) to Pittsburgh legend EARL HINES!

Question:  How did Coleman Hawkins acquire the name "Bean"? (Answer at end of post.)

Tuesday, Nov. 21st is the 113th birth anniversary of COLEMAN HAWKINS! WKCR.org will broadcast Hawk's music ALL DAY, NON-STOP. Host Phil Schaap will present from 2:00pm-6:30pm (EST).

WKCR.org

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/#

Click "Listen" in upper right corner

Trivia answer: Early in Hawkins' career, his…

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born in Cheraw, SC, October 21, 1917. His virtuosity on trumpet was immediately recognized and through teacher recommendations, received a scholarship to Laurinberg Institute (NC), where he studied music with esteemed educator, Philmore "Shorty" Hall. Upon his exit, Dizzy headed to Philadelphia, embarking on a professional musical career. His ability had been realized by many, but not appreciated by all. As a member of the Cab Calloway Orchestra, Dizzy's…

"Out To Lunch", a daily three hour broadcast of Jazz music provided by radio station WKCR, recently presented the music of Pittsburgh Jazz great, Ahmad Jamal. Host, Phil Schaap, profiled Jamal's career, highlighting his early Argo recordings (1956-62). Pittsburgh's Jazz legacy was cited and recognized as a major contributor to the Jazz narrative. The music was spectacular and the content informative, but why take my word for it? Partially into the broadcast, Phil was informed the great Ahmad…

The birthday celebrations of Lester Young (b. 8/27) and Charlie Parker (b. 8/29) will be the focus of WKCR's annual Lester Young/Charlie Parker Birthday Broadcast. The musical party begins on Sunday, 8/27 and continues NON-STOP thru Tuesday, 8/29. Along with exceptional music, theme based presentations will be hosted by Jazz historian and educator, Phil Schaap. His broadcast times are as follows: Sunday, 8/27 - 9a-1p (Lester Young), Monday, 8/28 - Noon - 5p (Lester Young) and Tuesday, 8/29 -…

TUESDAY, JULY 4th: Celebrate the music of Louis Armstrong ALL DAY, on WKCR.org.  Phil Schaap will provide insight into Satchmo's life and music from 2:30 - 7:00 PM. ALSO: Phil's "Out To Lunch" broadcast will feature Louis on Monday 7/3, from Noon - 3:00PM.

WKCR.org

Today, April 29, 2017 is Duke Ellington 118th birthday. Phil Schaap will be presenting Duke's recordings from the STRAYHORN, Blanton, Webster period. He is sure to mention Billy Strayhorn's Pittsburgh roots. He will broadcast from 4-9 PM ET (Saturday, April 29). 

Tune in to : WKCR.org for 24 hours of Duke Ellington's music!

"When the Count Basie orchestra came north from Kansas City in the fall of 1936, they made gigs in Chicago (The Grand Terrace) and New York (Roseland Ballroom), but they also had a few runs in early 1937 in Pittsburgh where they played in the Chatterbox Room in Steel Town's Hotel William Penn. The giant of the bass, Ray Brown, had an older brother who had a job at the Hotel William Penn and he brought his 10 year old kid brother to work. The Count Basie Orchestra did quite a bit of…

I'm passing along Phil Schaap's account of Fred Staton's 102nd birthday bash:

An outpouring of love as well as a display of pure musical joy occurred at Local 802 (the Big Apple branch of the American Federation of Musicians) as several hundred gathered to celebrate the 102nd birthday of Fred Staton (born Sunday, February 14, 1915). Fred attended and played!!!! Mr. Staton is a tenor saxophonist. Robert Smalls, the last African American Congressman from the days of Reconstruction,…

February marks the beginning of Black History Month. Various institutions will celebrate the accomplishments of Black citizens, who rightly deserve acknowledgement for their achievements. Phil Schaap will host his annual Black History Month broadcast, in honor of those musicians who, at the forefront of racial discrimination, created a legacy of incomparable music.

Saturday, (2/4), 6:00 PM (EST) - Fletcher Henderson's music will be explored. Henderson, a graduate of Atlanta College,…

Pittsburgh Jazz royalty, Roy Eldridge, would turn 106, Monday (1/30). His contribution to Jazz is paramount. Whether swinging as a twenty-one year old in the Vitaphone short, "Smash Your Baggage", or singing a songbook standard, Roy Eldridge delivers! Always an innovator, his legacy remains, not as a bridge between the genius of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, but as a trailblazer, defined by a captivating take-no-prisoner bravado and an elastic, relaxed swing.

Join WKCR.org on…

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…