Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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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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Duke Ellington is first African-American and the first musician to solo on U.S. circulating coin
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
INTERVIEW
ACTION United for Jazz!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE TBA
WYEP has a bid in to purchase WDUQ, and we hear the plan is to take away Jazz programming.
So many Jazz musicians have called me up and asked me to use my organizer skills to help them, that I am bound to respond. As an organizer, I know that the first thing you need to win is a strong organization that is willing to fight. So, are you willing to fight?
A new organization is forming now; a chapter of ACTION United, one specifically for musicians, that will fight for the needs of musicians. Right now, Jazz musicians stand to lose their only media venue in Pittsburgh. There are lots of other things we can work on, too, once we win this! Please join as soon as you can!
April 1, mark your calendars! New Orleans style Second Line Action to Save Jazz on WDUQ Radio! Location TBA! Oh, this is going to be so much fun! Please message me if you want to get on the list! We need 25 instrumentalists and a lot of drummers, hand percussionists, marchers and singers and dancers!
Time: TBA
Place: Meet in 18th Street Parking lot
We will March to 12th street, Bedford Square to deliver petitions to Save Our Jazz!
We can win this, I am sure, but only if everyone participates!
Maryellen
Comment
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Comment by Mary Barr on March 30, 2011 at 10:52pm
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The rally that was planned for April 1 by Action United for Jazz has indeed been postponed -- please spread the word if you know anyone who is planning to come! And please send an email to saveduq@gmail.com to be added to the list of supporters and help us get organized for the next time. We need everyone's support!
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It is my understanding that this event has been canceled. Don't want anyone to show up only to find no one there, especially considering the weather forecast.
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Everyone please note!! That's a typo -- the correct time is 11:30 A.M.. on April 1
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Comment by martin thomas on March 29, 2011 at 5:37pm
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I'll try to be there too. 11:30 PM, April 1? Seems a little late for full exposure.
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Comment by Kevin Amos on March 29, 2011 at 5:04am
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The only media venue for Jazz in Pittsburgh?? How wrong you are Maryellen. Please get it right.
For all practical purposes it is a done deal unless you know something I don't about how radio works. WYEP has NOT said that they will adopt Jazz programming. They said they will talk with the Jazz community. That's it.
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I think the correct time for assembling in the 18th St. parking lot is 11:30 AM, rather than 11:30 PM.
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Comment by Francis Bruce Marion, DC on March 26, 2011 at 2:58am
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Get the word out more! So the natural Jazz vibe of Pittsburgh never stops influencing keeping our world calm and alive!! sincerely DrB - youtube.com/drfbm & PittsburghJAM.org
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Comment by Kevin Hurst, Sr. on March 26, 2011 at 2:27am
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Sounds like fun! - kev
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Comment by Doug Jackson on March 25, 2011 at 11:06pm
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I support to keep Jazz programing at WYEP and WDUQ.
I wish I could be there to add my support.
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