Connect with us

Pittsburg, PA

The Pittsburgh Jazz Fest 1964 – Mary Lou Williams and more – on the Scene — WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh

Published

on

The Pittsburgh Jazz Fest 1964 – Mary Lou Williams and more – on the Scene  — WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh


September 1964 – the Beatles played the Pittsburgh Civic Arena for their first and only show in the Steel City. Months earlier, a very major first happened in that same location, with echoes reverberating from 60 years ago now .

The lineup for the 2024 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival will be announced April 30th for the September event. The idea of a Jazz Festival in Pittsburgh started much earlier – concerts June 19th and 20th 1964 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena – with planning led by Mary Lou Williams that went on for several years.

We’ve not yet found a printed program or compressive report of that notable weekend, but through columns and articles from the Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Press and the New Pittsburgh Courier, a fuller picture of the notable weekend comes in to view – plus, a few stellar photos by the legendary Teenie Harris!

It was a very Pittsburgh focused event with a global ambition. “Hometown” headliners – the Mary Lou Williams trio (Larry Gales – bass, Percy Brice – drums), vocalist Dakota Staton and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers; The Walt Harper Quartet, the Harold Betters Quartet with Benny Benack. Add in the (40 piece) Pittsburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra, directed by Melba Liston.

Advertisement

Other headliners included the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the Thelonious Monk Quartet (featuring Charlie Rouse), The Jimmy Smith Trio and a band led by trombonist Al Gray. Also, vocalists Joe Williams and Jimmy Rushing.

Also on the playbill, the Bernice Johnson Dancers and Comedian “Moms” Mabley. Plus Ruby Braff, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell, Shorty Baker, Snookie Young, Percy Brice, and Ben Tucker.

A number of stories from the festival that caught our attention – a column by Carl Apone wrote about a “long awaited $20,000 improvement to the Civic Arena’s sound system” that would get its first real test from the Jazz Festival – to be followed by a concert by Nat King Cole for the Civic Light Opera season July 6, 1964. In that same column, Carl Apone noted that ticket sales were lagging just a week before the festival – sales of only $3,500 towards the $30,000 talent budget alone. Whatever happened next, total sales ended up at about $36,000. The “acid test” was the rehearsal for the Festival before doors opened on June 19, 1964 – for the biggest sound system in the region at the time.

Part of the positive net financials came from a cancellation – Sarah Vaughan was scheduled to attend – but cancelled shortly before the Festival. As noted in several articles , the $2,700 cancellation refund from the Sarah Vaughan booking was enough to swing the festival into a profit for the weekend. Making a profit helped lead to the return of the festival in 1965 with a 3 day event.

The sponsor of the event was the Catholic Youth Organization under the direction of the Rev. Michael Williams, with the encouragement of the leader of the Pittsburgh Diocese, Bishop John Wright. Governor William Scranton and former Governor David L. Lawrence served as honorary Chairmen. Mayor Joseph Barr issued a proclamation declaring “June is Jazz Month.”

Advertisement

The producers of the Festival were Mary Lou Williams and legendary festival promoter George Wein.

We’ll talk about the festival, and play some of the music that relates to it on The Scene – Also, a revisit to a chat with adoptive Pittsburgh jazz artist and author Deanna Witkowski – currently finalizing work on her PhD in Jazz Studies at Pitt – she did research on the importance of Mary Lou Williams’ Pittsburgh connections in getting the festival started.

Thursday night at six, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on WZUM.





Source link

Advertisement

Pittsburg, PA

Radio host goes off on Pittsburgh Steelers star: ‘A flat-out disappointment’

Published

on

Radio host goes off on Pittsburgh Steelers star: ‘A flat-out disappointment’


2022 was the last time Minkah Fitzpatrick caused a turnover. Once known as the NFL’s premier ballhawk that all teams had to be worried about, Fitzpatrick has faded into the background of the Steelers’ defense. In 2023, he missed seven games due to hamstring and knee injuries. Now, in 2024, he is back at free safety, but Fitzpatrick still has not made the big-time plays.

According to most charting statistics, Fitzpatrick has the worst season of his career. Pro Football Focus has him charted for 18 receptions on 24 targets, allowing a passer rating of 135.8 and 13.8 yards per reception. Tight ends have victimized Fitzpatrick.

93.7 the Fan radio host Joe Starkey has had enough of the excuses for Fitzpatrick’s play. Starkey believes Fitzpatrick is ‘a flat-out disappointment’ this season, and the Steelers should have a serious conversation about his contract and role.

“Minkah Fitzpatrick is a flat-out disappointment,” Starkey said. “He’s given up a lot. I don’t think they’re just ignoring him the entire game. This isn’t Darrelle Revis in college.”

Advertisement

Fitzpatrick’s lack of splash plays is concerning, but the Steelers have not allowed many explosive plays this season and have the No. 4 scoring defense in the NFL for a reason. His coverage over the top has been effective in that regard. Yet, the Steelers want to see more splash plays from him, too.

  • BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.



Source link

Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburg father killed in hit-and-run crash after leaving church

Published

on

Pittsburg father killed in hit-and-run crash after leaving church


A father of two was fatally struck while walking home from church in Pittsburg on Friday night.

Advertisement

Police said they received a call about 9:15 p.m. about a crash in the 1500 block of Willow Pass Road and when officers arrived they found Joaquin Reveulta Galvez in the middle of the street.

Revuelta Galvez was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

“There was some vehicle debris and the lone victim and that was the extent of the scene,” Cpt. Philip Galer said, adding that there was a headlight of a vehicle also there at the crash site.

Advertisement

In a news release, police said the entire crash was captured on surveillance video.

Revuelta Galvez’s family said investigators told them that he appeared to stumble and fall to the ground before the vehicle hit him.

Advertisement

“He was wearing sandals, and then he fell and landed in the street and a car ran over him,” said his partner Maribel Macias. The couple have two grown sons, and Macias said the young men were close with their father.

Macias said the family didn’t know about the crash until one of them noticed the emergency responders and police vehicles around the corner from the mobile home park where they live.

Now, during the holidays, she and her sons are grieving for Revuelta Galvez.

Advertisement

They said Revuelta Galvez had already been through so much. He had been recovering from brain surgery last year, but despite his health problems, he was a friendly neighbor and loving father with a good heart.

A relative said they saw him at the Sovereign Shepherd Church just a half hour before the crash, and he had bought some pupusas to bring back home.

Advertisement

His family wonders how someone could drive away and leave him there.

“If they had called 9-1-1… he would be alive right now. We don’t know how long he was on the ground bleeding, dying,” Macias said.

A relative set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for burial and funeral expenses.

Advertisement

Galer said investigators are withholding details from the surveillance footage to protect the investigation.

He said they do have leads on the vehicle that struck Revuelta Galvez.

Advertisement

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run crash is asked to contact Pittsburg police at (925) 646-2442 or contact Officer James Pena at (925) 252-4146.

Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com. Call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her other reports on her bio page. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Have Weekly Plans for Justin Fields

Published

on

Steelers Have Weekly Plans for Justin Fields


The Pittsburgh Steelers have put their plan to increase quarterback Justin Fields’ involvement in motion, though it’s not yet a completely ironed-out component of the offense.

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, Fields stated that the Steelers have a package in place for him every week, though it isn’t always clear how or when he’ll be utilized.

“I have a set package each and every week,” Fields said. “I think the play-calling is random to be honest with you. It’s kind of a feel thing with Arthur [Smith]. How I’m going to be used is a question for him honestly.”

After logging three snaps and rushing for 17 yards in Pittsburgh’s Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Fields saw his reps more than doubled to seven in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Advertisement

The highlight of the 25-year-old’s day was a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter that advanced the Steelers into Cleveland territory, with the drive resulting in a Jaylen Warren touchdown. Fields’ two other attempts on the ground went for a combined -4 yards.

Pittsburgh also put their trust in him through the air on a 3rd-and-4 play while up 19-18 with 3:34 left in the contest. On his first throw since Week 6, Fields targeted George Pickens down the field but couldn’t complete the connection, which brought on the punt unit.

The Browns scored on their ensuing possession before thwarting the Steelers’ final scoring attempt of the night to clinch the victory.

Russell Wilson, who went 21-for-28 with 270 yards and a touchdown, also shared his uncertainty as to how and when Fields would be inserted into games moving forward.

“I don’t know when it’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “Whenever it does, all I want us to do is win. When Justin gets in there I’m rooting for Justin to do great and make a big play. When I go back in, it’s vice versa. We’re always rooting for each other.”

Advertisement

The Steelers haven’t been quiet about their intentions to continue featuring Fields. While things didn’t shake their way against the Browns as they perfect those arrangements, it’s fair to assume they’ll continue to ramp up his participation as the season continues on.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending