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| Art Blakey will be remembered Two Pittsburghers, jazz drummer Art Blakey (1919-1990) and innovative Philanthropist Jane Holmes (1805-1885), will be remembered with state historical markers, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission announced. "These extraordinary individuals will join the ranks of hundreds of people who have brought honor to Pennsylvania through their talent and generosity, " said PHMC Chairman Wayne S. Spilove after the commission approved the markers. "Art Blakey made music history and Jane Holmes provided comfort and shelter to many. They are most worthy of historical markers." Blakey and his band, the Jazz Messengers, helped found the "hard-bop movement." The musician started playing the piano but later switched to drums. Jazz legend Duke Ellington asked him to fill-in with his band in Pittsburgh when his drummer became ill. Blakey also guided musicians like Hank Mobley and Wynton Marsalis and he received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2005. Jane Holmes was known as "Lady Bountiful" for her great charity and social conscience. She contributed over $1 million to help the sick, poor and orphaned. She was one of Pittsburgh's earliest and greatest philanthropists, enabled by her father's successful private banking business. Among the charities she founded or funded were the Protestant Home for Boys, the Home for Aged Protestants, the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind and the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Women. Few social services agencies existed at the time and if a worthy cause gained her interest, she acted quickly to help. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |