Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 36 YEARS
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Pain Relief Beyond Belief
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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
Inaugural Pittsburgh Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Celebration Jan 23, 2014
Inaugural Pittsburgh Rock'N Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Honoring Rick Engler
Working together the Hard Rock and the Cancer Caring Center have created the Pittsburgh Rock'N Roll Hall of Fame. Each year an influential member of the Pittsburgh rock scene will be honored with an induction ceremony and a plaque that will be mounted at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Rick Engler, co-founder of DiCesare-Engler Productions, will be the first inductee. Read Rick Engler's story and the story of the Stanley Theater at Pittsburgh Music History
The Pittsburgh Rock'N Roll All Stars will perform including Donnie Iris, B.E. Taylor, Joe Grushecky, Scott Blasey, Hermie Granati, Rick Witkowski, Joffo Simons, and Art Nardini.
Joel Peresman, President and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, will present the award to Rich. A video retrospective of Rich's career with congratulation messages from rock celebrities and music industry execs will be show. Steve Hanson and Sean McDowell of WDVE will emcee the event.
Proceeds will go to the Cancer Caring Center who has provided free services to cancer patients and their families for 25 years. Services include 19 neighborhood support sites, individual counseling, a food bank, art and journaling therapy, “Live Well with Cancer” programs and much more. Information is available at Cancercaring.org
A silent auction for autographed rock memorabilia will be held. There will be items from YES, KANSAS, Graham Nash, Joe Walsh, Justin Hayward-Moody Blues. Other items include a personal guided tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Larrimor’s $500 gift certificate, Stage AE and other concert tickets. Participants can also bid on catered a dinner party for 10 at their home with Cindy and Rich Engler.
General admission tickets are $150 for the show that begins at 6:30.
V.IP. tickets for a cocktail reception at 5:30 are $200.
Click here to Purchase Tickets or Donate
Other sponsors of the event include
UPMC/UPMC Health Plan – title sponsors
Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation
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