University of Pittsburgh's Annual Jazz Seminar & Concert to Receive 2005 Mellon Jazz Community Award

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 1  /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Pittsburgh's Annual Jazz Seminar & Concert has been selected as the recipient of the 2005 Mellon Jazz Community Award.   Saluting the annual jazz seminar's contribution to the advancement of jazz in the Pittsburgh area, the award will be presented during this year's 35th Annual University of Pittsburgh Jazz Seminar Concert on Saturday, November 5, in the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

"Pitt's annual jazz seminar is a landmark accomplishment, notable for both its remarkably long run and the high quality of its programming," said Rose Gabbianelli, Mellon executive vice president and director of corporate affairs.  "Jazz in Pittsburgh has few better friends than the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Seminar, and Mellon Jazz is proud to be a long-time supporter of this outstanding program.  We join the entire Pittsburgh community in saluting Dr. Nathan Davis and his team during this 35th anniversary celebration year, and thanking them for their many years of outstanding jazz education and memorable live jazz performances."

The Mellon Jazz Community Award recognizes local venues, individuals, organizations, clubs, musicians, programs and institutions for their significant contributions to jazz in the southwestern Pennsylvania area. Taking the form of an original glass sculpture by noted Pennsylvania glass artist Kathleen Mulcahy, this year's award will be presented by Oliver Byrd, senior vice president of Mellon Financial Corporation and chairperson of the African American Cultural Center of Greater Pittsburgh, and will be accompanied by a $5,000 contribution from Mellon Jazz to the University of Pittsburgh in support of the jazz seminar.  Accepting the award on behalf of the jazz seminar will be University of Pittsburgh Provost James V. Maher.

Previous Mellon Jazz Community Awardees include Walt Harper, Tony Mowod, Joe Negri, the African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh, the Afro-American Music Institute, and WDUQ-FM.  The 2004 recipient was Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music.

The 2005 Mellon Jazz Community Award in the Philadelphia area was presented earlier this month to Denise King, jazz vocalist and founder of Philadelphia's Friday Night Jazz and "BeBop and Books" programs.

The annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert is the longest-running event of its kind in the country. From modest beginnings in a lounge of Pitt's William Pitt Union in 1971, the event has grown to include approximately 10 visiting international musicians who conduct free on-campus lecture/demonstrations, hold mini-clinics at area schools, appear at community venues, and end the week with a concert at Carnegie Music Hall. A list of past participants reads like a Who's Who in Jazz, including Art Blakey, Grover Washington, Jr., Sonny Rollins, Billy Taylor, and many more.

Mellon Financial Corporation's year-round celebration of jazz excellence, Mellon Jazz is marking its 19th anniversary in Pittsburgh this year and 20th in Philadelphia.  In both cities Mellon Jazz supports non-profit organizations engaged in live jazz performances and jazz education, and recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to each city's rich jazz tradition.  More information on Mellon Jazz activities is available via the Mellon Jazz link at http://www.mellon.com/. 

DATASOURCE: Mellon Financial Corporation



CONTACT:  Ron Sommer of Mellon Financial Corporation, [phone], or





Web site:  http://www.mellon.com/

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