Colter Harper’s book “Jazz in the Hill” examines the genre of jazz through conversations and community as a driver for change. Harper presents a direct view of the communication between musicians and their audience, as well as the bond between the community and its residents.
During a book release event on Friday at White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield at 7 p.m., Harper will read excerpts from the book and lead a discussion with musicology experts Aaron Johnson and Danielle Maggio.
A founding member of Rusted Root, Colter Harper has engaged with jazz in various locations, including Accra, Ghana, where he spent several years teaching. His research and studies focus on ethnomusicology, jazz, popular music, and the musical traditions of Africa. Originally from upstate New York, Harper came to Pittsburgh via Tampa, Fla., during high school with the aim of improving his musical skills. Harper “The book originated from my desire to narrate the story of how jazz was and is a communal endeavor,” Harper commented. “Although it’s an art form often celebrated for individual accomplishments, I wanted to pay homage and delve into jazz as a community process as well.”
The book covers decades of jazz history in the Hill District, from the 1920s to the 1970s.
“Commonly held assumptions about these neighborhoods were that they were dangerous areas to avoid, so music exposed me to alternative perspectives on the city that contradict the typical portrayal of these neighborhoods by the media,” Harper remarked. He added that this portrayal is linked to histories of white supremacy, creating economic circumstances that promote the flourishing of certain neighborhoods while socially and economically marginalizing others.
Harper aims for readers to grasp the enduring influence of jazz and community, as well as the representation of African American history in the reimagining of cities.
Johnson, an associate professor of music and interim director of jazz studies at the University of Pittsburgh, stressed the significance of Harper’s work in unveiling jazz’s close connections to the Black working-class community in Pittsburgh.
Harper believes that his portrayal of venues like the Crawford Grill and Hurricane Bar & Grill will resonate with readers. Both establishments have been closed for many years — the Hurricane shut down in 1971 and the Crawford Grill in the early 2000s — but still hold substantial memories and affection.
“Today, jazz is somewhat distant from the very community that birthed it, the African American community. Jazz is performed in clubs, at concerts, in non-profit spaces, at festivals. Harper’s book demonstrates how jazz was intricately linked to the working-class community of Black Pittsburgh and how that community produced some of the greatest contributors in the field,” Johnson remarked.
He has also compiled an appendix listing every band that performed at both establishments from 1953 to 2003, offering insight into the era’s musical diversity.
“One of the most important aspects of Dr. Harper’s book is that his thorough examination of the images captured by Teenie Harris and others reveals a great deal about the connection between the public, the musicians, and the music at places like the Hurricane or Crawford’s Grill,” Johnson stated. ”The book brings to life a Hill District that can scarcely be imagined from the empty lots between buildings there now, and only the elderly can fill in the gaps from their memories. Harris’s photos reveal a Hill District teeming with vitality and potential along with hardship and limited opportunities of the time.”
Harper gives credit to Charlene Foggie-Barnett, also known as Charles “Teenie” Harris community archivist at the Carnegie Museum of Art, for helping him. In his book, Harper emphasizes the important role of women as creators and promoters of the jazz genre, mentioning Alyce Brooks, Ruby Young, “Birdie” Simmons Dunlap, owner of Hurricane Bar & Grill, Sarah McLawler, “Lady Byron” Evelyn Childress, Shirley Scott, Dee Dee Ford, and Rhoda Scott.
Harper stated, “It’s truly impressive how significant women were not only as performers but also as writers and entrepreneurs, despite the fact that the history of jazz tends to focus on men.”
Harper has the hope that his books will keep the discussion going and shine a light on the excellent work of community leaders like James and Pamela Johnson of the Afro American Music Institute.
Afro American Music Institute. in Homewood and Marimba Milliones of the Hill District CDC This event is part of several “Jazz in the Hill” book events this year, including a performance-focused event on Aug. 1. at.
