Results for "Pittsburgh"

Kenia

Born: August 26

KENIA is renowned for her ability to translate the complex rhythms of her Brazilian homeland into jazzy creations that made her a star of the smooth jazz movement two decades ago. Her 2016 release on Mooka Records, “On We Go,” is a fresh collection of songs that will entice a new generation of listeners, as it showcases Kenia at the top of her form with a seductive, polished vocal phrasing. “Once again, the vocalist has bridged jazz, international pop and Brazilian music and done so effortlessly, in one of her best works to date” (Jazz Corner). “It’s hard to believe Kenia approaches any song with any trepidation

Jeff Lashway

Pianist Jeff Lashway hails from Pittsburgh — While he has played, toured and recorded with several artists, he is best known for his tenure with jazz legend Maynard Ferguson. Jeff was Maynard's final pianist. On his first release, "Reunion," he is reunited with longtime friend Vinnie Colaiuta. This is a rare straight-ahead session for Vinnie. Also on board is the amazing vocalist Jimmy Hall, formerly the lead singer with Wet Willie. This is an incredibly accessible, swinging CD, with stellar performances by all the musicians, including Jim Rotondi, John Allred and Jeff Rupert.

Joe Negri

In 1999, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust honored me by naming me the "Established Artist of the Year." I remember telling them that my career has been a "work in progress" since age three. As a child performer, I performed on radio and appeared in theatrical and stage productions throughout the tri-state area. I was even chosen to become one of Pittsburgh's "Stars of Tomorrow." A voice change shattered my confidence and I stopped performing. Shortly after, I began to seriously study the guitar. By age sixteen, I was playing well enough to win a job with one of the country's top swing bands. I soon became a featured member of the band and traveled nationally with them for about two years

Tony Mowod

Tony Mowod, Executive Producer / Jazz Host, at WDUQ-FM 90.5, (his four hour nightly show is heard on the JazzWorks jazz network broadcasting 24/7 to public radio stations across the country), is also the President and Founder of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society, and has been one of Pittsburgh's most enduring champions of jazz for over four decades. Even as a teenager, Tony, dazzled by the tremendous number of jazz greats from his native Pittsburgh, responded to them not only as a fan does, but as a young musician himself. (The vibraphone was his instrument of choice after studying classical piano as a youngster.)

While attending Duquesne University, Tony embarked on his broadcasting career at WDUQ

Reggie Watkins

Born: August 24, 1971

Trombonist, pianist, arranger and composer Reggie Watkins has released five recordings as leader. The March 28th 2025 release of Rivers (BYNK Records) features Watkins on trombone with his quartet playing all of his original compositions and arrangments. In addition to composing and performing with his own groups, he is a member of the 3X Grammy nominated group Orrin Evans' Captain Black Big Band, The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Steeltown Horns and Keystone Jazz Collective. Watkins has toured and recorded extensively with artists such as trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, Jason Mraz, The Temptations, Postmodern Jukebox, Dumpstaphunk, and saxophonist Richie Cole.

Roger Humphries

Born: January 30, 1944

Roger Humphries is an American jazz drummer.

Born into a family of ten children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Humphries began playing drums at age four, and went professional at age 14. He led an ensemble at Carnegie Hall at age 16. Early in the 1960s, he began touring with jazz musicians; one of his more prominent gigs was in a trio with Stanley Turrentine and Shirley Scott in 1962. In 1964, he worked with Horace Silver, appearing on the album Song for My Father, where he played on four tracks, including the title tune. (On the same album Roy Brooks played on two tracks from a session recorded a year earlier). Following this Humphries drummed for Ray Charles.

Stanley Turrentine

Born: April 5, 1934

Stanley William Turrentine was one of the most distinctive tenor saxophonists in jazz. Known for his big, warm, sound, "The Sugar Man" or the original "Mr. T" found inspiration in the blues and turned it into a hugely successful career with a #1 hit and four Grammy nominations — first in R&B and then in jazz. Born on April 5, 1934 in Pittsburgh, a city that has produced more than its share of jazz masters, Turrentine hailed from a musical family. His saxophone-playing father was a big influence, as was his stride piano-playing mother and older brother, the late trumpeter Tommy Turrentine. One of Stanley's earliest influences on sax was tenor great Illinois Jacquet

Horace Parlan

Born: January 19, 1931

Horace Parlan has overcome physical disability and thrived as a pianist despite it. His right hand was partially crippled by polio in his childhood, but Parlan's made frenetic, highly rhythmic right hand phrases part of his characteristic style, contrasting them with striking left-hand chords. He's also infused blues and R&B influences into his style, playing in a stark, sometimes somber fashion. Parlan has always cited Ahmad Jamal and Bud Powell as prime influences.

He began playing in R&B bands during the '50s, joining Charles Mingus' group from 1957 to 1959 following a move from Pittsburgh to New York. Mingus aided his career enormously, both through his recordings and his influence. Parlan played with Booker Ervin in 1960 and 1961, then in the Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis-Johnny Griffin quintet in 1962. Parlan played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk from 1963 to 1966, and had a strong series of Blue Note recordings in the '60s.

Dodo Marmarosa

Born: December 12, 1925

A piano wunderkind who was for about a decade one of the most sought-after pianists in the history of jazz, yet has remained in relative obscurity. Dodo was born Michael Marmarosa, on 6 December 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After formal studies and gigging with local bands, in 1941, the Johnny "Scat" Davis Orchestra came to Pittsburgh with an opening for a piano player. Even as a kid, Marmarosa had a reputation in local jazz circles, and some local musicians suggested that Davis snatch up the young pianist, so he hit the road. He was 15.

After a few months, the orchestra broke up. But Marmarosa and a few others hooked up with Gene Krupa's band. He then joined Charlie Barnet's big band. During that time, the Barnet band recorded "The Moose" and "Strollin,' " the first of dozens of recordings Marmarosa would be part of over the next few years.

Ahmad Jamal

Born: July 2, 1930

In 1951, Mr. Jamal first recorded 'Ahmad's Blues' on Okeh Records. His arrangement of the folk tune 'Billy Boy', and 'Poinciana' (not his original composition), also stem from this period. In 1955, he recorded his first Argo (Chess) Records album that included 'New Rhumba', 'Excerpts From The Blues', 'Medley' (actually 'I Don't Want To Be Kissed'), and 'It Ain't Necessarily So' —all later utilized by Miles Davis and Gil Evans on the albums "Miles Ahead" and "Porgy and Bess." In his autobiography, Mr. Davis praises Mr. Jamal's special artistic qualities and cites his influence. In fact, the mid-to-late 1950's Miles Davis Quintet recordings notably feature material previously recorded by Mr. Jamal: 'Squeeze Me', 'It Could Happen To You', 'But Not For Me', 'Surrey With The Fringe On Top', 'Ahmad's Blues', 'On Green Dolphin Street' and 'Billy Boy'.