PROGRESSIVE MUSIC COMPANY

AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS

BOYS CHOIR AFRICA SHIRTS
 
 
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!

 

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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin

    MARY LOU WILLIAMS     

            INTERVIEW

       In Her Own Words

AAMI brings Frank McComb to the Kelly-Strayhorn for 37th Anniversary Celebration

Soul singer and music producer Frank McComb will perform at a fundraiser for the Afro American Music Institute in Homewood.
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Frank McComb to headline anniversary concert

Pittsburgh, meet Frank McComb.

You probably don’t recognize him, but his fans and collaborators include Prince, Will Smith and Branford Marsalis.

“This guy is a phenomenal player. He covers jazz, gospel, R&B and soul,” says local soul singer DeWayne Chandler, who convinced his friend, Donald Patterson, to give the singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer a listen.

“I couldn’t understand why folks don’t know him,” Patterson said.

Now you can hear him for yourself. McComb will be the headliner Saturday at the Afro American Music Institute’s 37th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. The show, which starts at 7:30 p.m., will also feature a Chandler tribute to Pittsburgh native George Benson and music by James Johnson and his son, drummer James Johnson III.

James and Pamela Johnson founded the institute in 1982 and offer one-on-one lessons, music theory, African drumming and vocal classes. The institute also operates the Boys Choir of Pittsburgh, Jazz Lab and a summer program.

McComb, 49, has never performed in Pittsburgh. He grew up in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood and began touring and recording with The Rude Boys after high school. He toured with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince for several years and was signed by Motown Records. After moving to Los Angeles, he recorded two albums of material but Motown didn’t release it.

McComb left the label and became a member of Branford Marsalis’ band Buckshot LeFonque, touring and making two albums. In 1999, he signed with Columbia Records and with Marsalis as co-producer released his first solo album, “Love Stories.”

Disappointed by the lack of promotion, McComb then signed with Malibu Sessions, an independent label, and produced “The Truth” in 2003. Two years later, he released “Straight From the Vault” on his own label, Boobescoot Music. When he discovered someone was selling bootlegged copies of his music for $50, McComb made it available for $10 on his website, frankmccombbandcamp.com.

“I’m a piano player and singer,” he said in a phone interview Friday. “None of those three labels knew what to do with me.”

But Prince did. McComb worked with the late artist in 2004-06, while Prince was making his 2006 album “3121.”

“I did all the house parties — Grammys, Oscars, NAACP awards,” McComb said.

He said Chandler found him on Twitter and asked McComb to perform at the anniversary show, which will be preceded by a silent Auction and VIP artist meet and greet reception. Those tickets are $100 each. General admission is $50 at Dorsey’s Records, www.kelly-strayhorn.org or by calling AAMI in Homewood at 412-241-6775.

Chandler, who opened for Benson several years ago at Benedum Center, said he and the Hill District native talked about his Pittsburgh roots and near lifelong connection to drummer Roger Humphries. “They were both child prodigies,” he said.

Chandler, who grew up in Hazelwood and now lives in Penn Hills, has been told he sounds like Benson. He plans to sing “This Masquerade,” “On Broadway,” “Turn Your Love Around” and other Benson hits.

Also performing Saturday: Howard Alexander on keyboards, Dan Wasson on bass and Eric Johnson on guitar. James Johnson III will perform in the Frank McComb Band with bassist John Hall and percussionist Hugo Cruz.

Kevin Kirkland: kkirkland@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1978.

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