Guide to the African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh Oral History Project Records and Recordings, 1995-1999 AIS.1998.04

Aarons, Albert, a trumpet player who performed in Pittsburgh and recorded music in California.

[T1S1] Beginning music; joining Local 471; musical inspiration; Army; racism; day jobs; jazz band in high school; big bands; Local 471 politics; advice to younger musicians; recording in California; advice for studio recording.

Austin, Charles E., a trumpeter who toured with Lloyd Price, his own band in Pittsburgh, and stayed involved with the Musicians’ Union after the merger.

[T1S1] Childhood and music; high school band; Navy; Union camaraderie; Carnival; studying music; touring with Lloyd Price; competition between bands; Chuck Austin Quintet; rehearsal bands; childhood inspiration; reading music; merger and pensions; old Musicians’ Club.

[T1S2] Jam sessions; club associate members; advice to younger musicians; influence on younger musicians; importance of rehearsal bands and reading music; changes in music business; effect of recordings.

Barnett, David, a trumpet and baritone horn player who was a bandleader and performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Local 471 history; joining the union; best moments of performing; beginning music; Army; trumpet players; Barnett’s band; Local 471 politics; performing at AFL-CIO merge convention; other musicians; Union merger; touring and the black theater circuit; switching to baritone and performances.

[T1S2] Barnett’s band; relatives; Elks band members; old Musicians’ Club; booking jobs and rival bandleaders; other musicians; AAJPSP oral history project; performing at sporting events.

Bettors, Jerry (July 1, 1997) a percussionist and charismatic band leader who had a popular club in Pittsburgh after his time touring and performing in New York.

[T1S1] music and childhood; Local 471, Local 60 and their merger; racism in the clubs; playing at Pittsburgh clubs; Jerry Bettors Club; meeting Frank Sinatra; performing in New York; friendship with Anne Baker; drums studio in New York.

[T1S2] advice to younger musicians; inspirational musicians; camaraderie between musicians; old Club; significance of oral histories project; importance of racial inclusion among musicians

Boswell, Bobby, a bass player who performed with Billie Holiday and in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Beginning music; early band; joining Local 471; Local 471 and members; jam sessions; other musicians; Army; Billie Holiday’s Band; returning to Pittsburgh; Local 471 officers; playing to audience; Walt Harper’s Band; transcription jobs.

[T1S2] Touring with Bradshaw; other musicians; old Musicians’ Club importance and layout; downtown clubs; racial tensions between bands; Union merger; changes audience and music; other musicians; Union merger; society bands expectations.

Brooks, Cecil, a drummer who toured in Ohio and performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] beginning music playing piano, then drums; joining Local 471 and playing professionally; touring in Ohio; playing with Bobby Jones; relationshipo with Local 471; Musician's club; difficulty musically succeeding in Pittsburgh; racism in Pittsburgh; disgust with Union; economic problems affect availability of jobs; monetary corruption; advice to younger musicians; importance of drummer in a band.

Cook, Adolph Doug, piano player who was a bandleader in the Army, and performed in Pittsburgh and Michigan.

[T1S1] Beginning music; Army; territory bands; relationship with Local 471 members; the Musician’s Club; WPA Bands; segregation in the Army; enlisting in the Army.

[T1S2] Other piano players and bands; performing in Pittsburgh; other musicians and style of playing; Local 56 (Grand Rapids); performing in Michigan; advice to younger musicians; performing for weddings.

Cottrell, Charles, a piano player who performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Music and childhood; Army; learning from musicians; influential musicians; Local 471 clique; performing in Pittsburgh; traveling; changes from the Union merge. [T1S2] Post-merger politics; transcription jobs; advice to younger musicians; carnival shows; importance of fellowship and sharing with younger musicians; touring; Local 471 officers; significance of musician fellowship and playing music;

[T2S1] performing in Pittsburgh clubs; other musicians.

Elliott, Jerry, a trombone player who began playing piano while in the service, played piano and wrote music in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Junior and high school musical career; time in the Army; Joe Westray’s Band; brass instrument mouthpiece technique; the Union and the Musicians’ Club; piano and trombone; writing music; difference between old and new Club; playing with other musicians.

[T1S2] Special gigs; Pittsburgh’s Musicians’ Club comparison; disparity between inner-city and suburban schools; lack of leadership in young generation; drug problems; daytime jobs; importance of upbringing; technique players; advice for younger musicians.

Gambrell, Bill, a piano and organ player who was an active member of the Local 471 and performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] History of Local 471; Local 471 politics; performing in Pittsburgh; racism on the job; Union pensions; involvement in the Union; performing in high school. [T1S2] Performing in Pittsburgh; racism at the Moose; Union pensions and gold cards; Union merger and politics; importance of professionalism, appearance, and adapting to the audience.

Harper, Walt, a pianist and bandleader who performed in Pittsburgh and owned two clubs (Attic and Harper’s).

[T1S1] Musical family and beginning music; early jobs and traveling; racism; composing music; relationship with Local 471 and members; Musicians’ Club camaraderie; club ownership; tearing down Hill District for Civic Arena; Bamboola; camaraderie in Hill District.

[T1S2] Musicians’ Club and moving to East Liberty; importance of reading music; being a bandleader; group dynamics; advice to younger musicians.

Harris, Joseph Jr. (August 7, 1998), a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh, around the United States and in Europe.

[T1S1] Beginning music and playing in Pittsburgh; performing in Chicago; traveling around the United States; performing in Europe; Local 471 musicians and camaraderie; high school music programs; music proving a fulfilling life; other musicians; performing and learning in Pittsburgh.

[T1S2] Family; private lessons; importance of reading; changes in music; Union merge politics; race relations; time in Sweden; importance of being prepared and self image; problems after Union merge; golf.

Hill, Herman, a trombone and baritone horn player who performed in Pittsburgh and New York and worked for the Courier and the New York Times.

[T1S1] High school and joining union; Local 802 (New York); Navy; Local 471; moving to New York; Local 471 members and Musicians’ Club; private lessons; Navy responsibilities; childhood memories; touring; Pittsburgh clubs; integration from merger.

[T1S2] Union merger and tensions; history of Musicians’ Club; returning from New York after merger; childhood inspirations; playing for Mellon’s Band; musical style and importance of doubling; other musicians; Charles’s (interviewer) jobs after merger; advice to younger musicians.

Hughes, John, (May 25, 1996), a piano player who performed in Pittsburgh and was also a teacher.

[T1S1] Education; interest in music; significance of jazz; favorite music; first professional job; private clubs versus public locations; current Pittsburgh clubs; importance of practicing.

Humphries, Roger, a drummer who began performing at a young age, toured and performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Musical family and childhood; family inspiration; camaraderie with older musicians; purpose of JPS oral histories; rehearsal bands and teaching music; East Liberty Club; performing in Pittsburgh; drum playing style; Pittsburgh’s notoriety; importance of education and a job; enjoyment from performing.

[T1S2] Union merger court case; merger tensions; quitting the Union; inspirational drummers; advice to younger musicians.

Kelly, Marcus, a bass player who was a bandleader and performed in Pittsburgh.\

[T1S1] Pay scale; beginning music; Army; Local 471; traveling; bands; Pittsburgh clubs; musicians and substance abuse; being a bandleader.

[T1S2] Being a bandleader; Musicians’ Club, members and history; teaching music; pensions and insurance; younger musicians; Local 471 camaraderie; importance of reading music.

Kennedy, Joe Jr., a violinist who performed in Pittsburgh as a youth, performed for the Army and Richmond Symphony, and toured internationally.

[T1S1] Childhood and musical family; studying music; time in army band; Musicians’ Club and union members; touring with Four Strings; Richmond Symphony; international touring; university positions; esteemed Local 471 members.

Lee, David, a percussionist who learned from experience with jazz musicians, worked during the day and performed at Pittsburgh clubs at night.

[T1S1] Learning from musicians; musicians’’ appearance; time in the Navy; Union members; ballgames and volunteering; politics with touring; playing at Pittsburgh clubs; Union members.

[T1S2] Musicians’ pensions; burden of heavy instruments; advice to younger musicians; reading music; role models.

McCown, Frank, a saxophone player who was a bandleader and performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] High school band; Navy; private lessons; being a bandleader; college; Local 471 Big Band; Musicians’ Club relocation; performing with other bands; being band leader; Union dues; musicians.

[T1S2] Recording music; booking gigs; territory bands; Union merge politics; advice to younger musicians; rehearsal bands.

McKay, Delsey, a pianist and contortionist who had a popular variety act in Pittsburgh for over twenty years, studied at Julliard, toured Europe, and conducted historical research.

[T1S1] Musical family and childhood; high school activities; amateur hour; beginning show business; unique variety act; surgery and invention of coat hanger act; performing piano; joining Local 60; joining Local 471; racism and moving to Hill District; Lonnie Fisher’s death; performing in Oakland; band leader.

[T1S2] Studying at Duquesne University; New York City and studying at Julliard; London and recordings; death of Martin Luther King Jr.; competing in international music festivals; involvement with American Bicentennial Artists’ Day; history of Ben Banaka; Banaka’s grandmother’s life in England.

[T2S1] Banaka family’s history in U.S.; importance of representation in Washington D.C.; McKay’s family’s involvement in Civil War; hope that Washington D.C. becomes state.

Moody, Willis, a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Army; audition test and joining Local 471; Local 471 Big Band; performing in Pittsburgh; traveling; old Musicians’ Club; transcription jobs; playing downtown; Local 471 camaraderie; moving club to East Liberty; Union merger politics; racism in Miami.

[T1S2] High school band and lessons; Local 471 members.

Nance, Art, a saxophone player who played in the Army, performed with Walt Harper’s Band and was band leader of Art Nance and the Five Deuces.

[T1S1] Childhood and father’s musical inspiration; performing in high school; performing in Army; joining Local 471 and advice from older musicians; joining the Army.

[T1S2] Performing with Walt Harper and Joe Westray; Union merger politics; advice to younger musicians; musical inspiration.

Odum, Joe, a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Studying music; joining the union; performing at Pittsburgh clubs; changes in music; Union merge and importance of staying in Union; transcription and MTP jobs; vaudeville style performers; value of recording jazz history.

[T1S2] Charles’s (interviewer) childhood memories; advice to younger musicians.

Payne, James, a trumpet and piano player who performed for Elks bands and dance clubs, and arranged music.

[T1S1] Childhood in Uniontown; joining Local 471; beginning music; studying piano and arranging; Elks clubs; old Musicians’ Club; participation in Local 471; musicians in Elks Band; musical influence; other musicians; advice to younger musicians.

Smith, Elderidge, a baritone horn player who performed in the Army, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

[T1S1]Playing in high school; joining the Army; Union and fifty year card; Army; performing in Pittsburgh; other musicians; concert bands; MTP jobs; black theater circuit; racism in South; clubs in Pittsburgh; alcohol abuse; other musicians.

[T1S2] Inspirational musicians; reputations; friendships made while traveling; family and day job; advice to younger musicians; Union merger politics; payment for performances; band bar tabs.

Steath, Ollie, a musician who performed in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Beginning music; performing with group and concert band; Musicians’ Club; Elks Band; father’s life and musical career; transcription jobs; Union merger and quitting playing; Musicians’ Club; importance of preserving jazz history; advice to younger musicians.

Thompson, George (Feburary 23, 1996), an alto and tenor saxophone player who played with Army band and was a member of the Bobby Jones Trio for twenty eight years in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Beginning music and high school band; Army band; joining Local 471; Musicians’ Club and jam sessions; Big Band members; expectations from Union merge; band members; loss of camaraderie; merge politics; importance of other job; younger musicians; touring.

[T1S2] (Distorted discussion); playing to the audience; Elks Band; other musicians; Local 471 clique; other musicians; younger musicians and rehearsal bands.

Turrentine, Stanley, a saxophone player who began performing at a young age, performed in Pittsburgh, around the United States, and in Europe.

[T1S1] Musical family and childhood; playing professionally; learning from musicians; touring with Max Roach’s band; brother Tommy Turrentine’s influence; importance of Musicians’ Club; changes in music; touring; expression through music; New York; Tommy’s support; advice to younger musicians.

[T1S2] Other musicians; changes in music; significance of jazz history; AAJPSP Oral Histories Project.

Westray, Joe, by Cathy (sister), a guitarist who was a band leader and Local 471 Union president, and owned a club in Pittsburgh.

[T1S1] Beginning music and lessons; Local 471 and Musicians’ Club; arranging music; touring; playing in Pittsburgh; significance of Joe Westray’s Band; other musicians; performance attire; band leader; education; traveling locally with Joe; balancing business and music; Joe’s legacy; starting a music school.

[T1S2] Joe’s dream of a music school; Cathy’s relationship with Joe; importance of training; Joe’s grandson, Ronnie; Musicians’ Club relocation; Union Merger and effects; importance of Old Musicians’ Club; other musicians.

Young, Curtis, (August 25, 1995), a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh discusses early history of Local 471.

[T1S1] International drumming traditions; importance of reading music; opening Musicians’ Club; WPA bands; Local 471 officer politics; historical information and documents.

[T1S2] AAJPSP organizational matters.

Young, Curtis, (February 19, 1996), a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh discusses early history of Local 471.

[T1S1] Map and location of Hill District clubs; musicians and Pittsburgh clubs. [T1S2] Other musicians; sports and performing; importance of accurate historical information; early Local 471 officers and politics; importance of primary source information.

Young, Curtis (June 17, 1997), a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh discusses early history of Local 471.

[T1S1] History of African American Musical Society; Elite Serenaders and other musicians from the 20s; Young family history; bee keeping and horticulture.

[T1S2] discussion of group photograph and difficulties of oral history project.

Young, Curtis (November 28, 1997), a drummer who performed in Pittsburgh discusses early history of Local 471.

[T1S1] Pittsburgh bands and performers; oral histories project and archives; Pittsburgh performers; importance of preserving jazz history.

[T1S2] Importance of correct information; process of preserving oral histories; Local 471 charter and Union cards; Pittsburgh clubs and organizations; jazz and Union politics.