![]() A gifted guitarist and concert promoter he soon was working for Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild promoting their MCG Jazz concert series. Guitarist Marty Ashby came to Pittsburgh to work in the administrative office of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Joe can also be heard performing in the finest jazz clubs in the city. He often incorporated the guitar in his routine and had many “greats” like Kenny Burrell as guests on the show. A world-class guitarist, he is best known as Handyman Negri from the Mister Roger’s Neighborhood television show. Joe Negri is the current Dean of jazz guitarists in Pittsburgh. Ron played with numerous artists most notably George Shearing and was a guitarist in Frank Sinatra’s band for the singer’s last twelve years as a performer. Ron Anthony grew up in Pittsburgh and moved to New York to find work as a guitarist. Ponder died in Pittsburgh in 2013 of lung cancer. ![]() Ponder eventually moved to Philadelphia and then on to New York where he played and recorded with some of the greatest names in jazz of that time. Earland liked what he heard and hired Jimmy Ponder six months after he graduated from high school. As a high school student, he was skilled enough to sit in with organist Charles Earland during a gig in Pittsburgh. He is most well-known for his solo jazz guitar playing best expressed in the album Virtuoso.īorn in Pittsburgh in 1946, Jimmy Ponder, was drawn to jazz guitar when he heard guitarist Thornel Schwartz playing with organist Jimmy McGriff. Joe Pass was a working guitarist by age fourteen. Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua was born in New Jersey but grew up just outside of Pittsburgh in Johnstown. Of course, he became a superstar in 1976 with his album Breezin’. As a young person he was hired by organist Jack McDuff and by age twenty-one was recording for Columbia records. At age seven he made a few dollars playing ukulele at a corner drugstore, at age eight he took up the guitar and by age nine he was performing and recording. George Benson grew up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. The two biggest guitarists that call Pittsburgh home are Joe Pass and George Benson. Drummers Art Blakey, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Kenny Clark, bassists Ray Brown and Paul Chambers, pianists Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamel, and Earl “Fatha” Hines, saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and composer Billy Strayhorn to name a few. Many famous musicians came from or spent some time growing up in the greater Pittsburgh area. In the 30s, ’40s and 50’s young musicians could see their favorite musicians perform just about any night of the week. Located between Chicago and New York, it was and continues to be a place where jazz musicians perform while on the road. ![]() It also has a long, rich connection with jazz music. Pittsburgh has been long known for its steel mills and historical place in the industrial revolution. JGT guest contributor Joe Barth takes a look at the many famous musicians from the greater Pittsburgh area. ![]()
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