Results for "Pittsburgh"

George Heid III

Born: July 21

George Heid III is a drummer, percussionist, and composer whose diverse musical passions range from jazz and classical to world and electronic genres. George grew up in his father’s recording studio and began playing drums and piano at age 3. In this environment, he was always immersed in music and surrounded by powerful musical influences, such as jazz guitarist Jimmy Ponder and his uncle Bill Heid, a world-class pianist and Hammond B3 jazz musician. George graduated from Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts high school, where he was mentored by jazz drumming legend Roger Humphries

Con Alma: Keeping Pittsburgh Jazz Thriving in Trying Times

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 29, 2021

Not mentioned nearly enough as a locale that nurtured some of jazz music's most memorable artists, jny: Pittsburgh can boast a jazz history that is unparalleled, especially for a city of its size. Just a partial list of icons that hailed from the area would include Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Erroll Garner, George Benson, and Stanley ...

Anton DeFade

Nashville born, Pittsburgh raised Anton DeFade has established himself as one of the most in demand bassists in the Pittsburgh area and beyond. He is a full time member of the soul/rock band, The Commonheart, and when he's not touring the country with them he splits his time writing, arranging, and freelancing in his hometown of Pittsburgh. As a child, Anton was introduced to many different styles of music by following his dad, Ray DeFade Jr., around to his gigs from loud rock concerts to intimate jazz performances. A decade later at the age of 14, he began working as a professional musician performing in various rock groups, jazz gigs, and local productions of musicals

Meet The JazzTwins, Arnold and Donald Stanley

by Tessa Souter and Andrea Wolper
December 9, 2020

For our first two-for-one Super Fans column, we present the JazzTwins, Arnold Stanley and Donald Stanley, who got started pretty young (just wait till you see who played at their high school concerts). All jazz Super Fans are VIPs, but these two take things to another level. From invitations to musicians' family dinners to being the ...

Documentary: Pittsburgh Jazz

December 4, 2020

Erroll Garner, George Benson, Earl “Fatha" Hines, Ray Brown, Kenny Clarke, Stanley Turrentine, Billy Eckstine, Billy Strayhorn, Ahmad Jamal, Joe Negri, {{Johnny Costa and Mary Lou Williams all had one thing in common—jny: Pittsburgh, PA. They all grew up there along with other jazz greats. How did Pittsburgh come to be such a flourishing jazz center? ...

Alton Merrell

Dr. Alton Merrell is a world class pianist, composer, and educator based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His musical artistry is a unique blend of lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and fluid technique that spans multiple music genres including jazz, gospel, classical, pop, and rhythm and blues. His music is known to take listeners on spirit-filled excursions that deeply touch the soul. Currently, Dr. Merrell leads his own instrumental jazz group, "The Alton Merrell Quartet," as well as his own gospel jazz vocal group “Dr. Alton Merrell & Impact.” In both groups, Dr. Merrell incorporates diverse musical styles in the repertoire to minister love to people worldwide. Dr

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra

Rich Zabinski

Born: September 6, 1968

Rich Zabinski is an active Jazz Drummer performing in the Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania area.  In addition to leading his own jazz group, Rich is a frequent guest artist with many local bands, including the Balcony Big Band and Tony Campbell’s Jazz Surgery.  Having studied Jazz Drum-set with Lenny Rogers and Small Group and Big Band performance with David Budway and John Wilson respectively at Duquesne University, Rich has played alongside Clark Terry, Richie Cole, Marvin Stamm, Dwayne Dolphon, and many others. Rich also has extensive performing, teaching and arranging experience in the competitive marching arts arena.  Rich was a member of the snare drum line with the elite Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, and has taught and arranged for the award winning Kiski Area Marching Band, as well as several other nationally ranked high school marching bands and drum and bugle corps.

Mark Jackovic

Mark Jackovic, M.M., Jazz Education and Archives Manager at MCG Jazz, is an award-winning jazz performer with more than a decade of teaching experience. Jackovic holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Music Education from Duquesne University, with a major in K-12 general, choral, and instrumental music education. He also holds a Master in Music degree from Rutgers University, with a major in jazz saxophone performance.

DK Anderson

Born: November 19, 1979

DK [Darnell Kenneth] Anderson was born on November 19, 1979, a mill town kid from the city of Monessen, Pennsylvania. He began his musical studies on tenor saxophone at the age of 11. At the age 16 he started playing the piano and became interested in composition. DK Anderson graduated from Duquesne University School of Music having studied with saxophonist James Houlik; composition and orchestration with Mike Tomaro and David Stock; counterpoint with Dr. Robert Shankovich; and jazz studies later with Sean Jones of the Lincoln Center Jazz Band. In 2001, Anderson premiered his first work for big band at Pittsburgh's Mellon Winterfest Jazz Festival