In January 1997, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art established the Westmoreland Jazz Society to provide a venue for America's classical music art form -- jazz. Since the Museum's collection is comprised of American art, the connection has made a great combo!
Today, the WJS membership organization has over 200 members and is a vital organization run by volunteers. The Society's mission is to reach out to regional artists by providing a venue for performing.
The WJS meets at the Museum on the third Thursday of the month from September through June for a jazz performance. During its season, the WJS presents many of the finest and most respected jazz musicians of the region.
Jazz has found a home at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. But to keep the music playing, we need your support -- consider taking a membership or join us on the third Thursday of the month.
All performances take place at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art at 7:30.
Tickets are available at the door: $10 for WJS members, $15 non-members, $3 students.
Call 724/837-1500 ext. 27 for membership information or erdelsky@wmuseumaa.org.
The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) support the 2007-2008 jazz season, the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. State government funding comes through an annual appropriation by Pennsylvania's General Assembly and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance (PRAA).
Featured Event
Harold Betters Thursday March 18, 2010 : 7:30PM
Cost: $10 members $15 nonmembers
"MR. TROMBONE," HAROLD BETTERS, is a remarkable man who has enjoyed a career spanning over four decades and is admired and respected by fellow musicians, friends, and fans nation-wide.
A native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he credits his success to his parents who owned and operated one of the area's hottest jazz spots.
He performed at THE ENCORE in Shadyside for so many years, it became known as "The House that Betters Built." His appearances at renowned nightspots are too numerous to mention, but a few include Pittsburgh's HOLIDAY HOUSE, Shaker Heights VIRGINIAN, Cleveland's THEATRICAL GRILL, and THE CABANA CLUB's Nero's Nook in Palo Alto, California.
With over a dozen albums and CD's to his credit, Harold can be heard on jazz radio stations and in many area clubs. He continues to be a favorite of sports fans by playing regularly at PITTSBURGH STEELER games.
Harold has performed with Louis Armstrong who described his sound as "rich and honest." Other musicians he has worked with include Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramsey Lewis, and Urbie Green. The Harold Betters Quartet toured with Ray Charles and appeared with comedian, Dick Gregory, at New York's Apollo Theater.
He has guested on several television shows including "The Tonight Show," "Merv Griffin," and "Mike Douglas," as well as on local TV programs in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and San Francisco. Recognized by the Playboy Jazz Poll as one of the best trombonists in the country, and as "Mr. Versatility" by Downbeat Magazine, he has also been named "Man of the Year in Music" by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
His formal musical training was received at Ithaca College and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Mr. Betters contributes mastery of his craft to the future by conducting jazz clinics, seminars, and workshops on the campuses of INDIANA, PENN STATE, PITT, and WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY.
THE MAN and his horn are legendary - our nation's audiences have been richly blessed to have heard him.
In January 1997, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art established the Westmoreland Jazz Society to provide a venue for America's classical music art form -- jazz. Since the Museum's collection is comprised of American art, the connection has made a great combo!
"MR. TROMBONE," HAROLD BETTERS, is a remarkable man who has enjoyed a career spanning over four decades and is admired and respected by fellow musicians, friends, and fans nation-wide.
A native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he credits his success to his parents who owned and operated one of the area's hottest jazz spots.
He performed at THE ENCORE in Shadyside for so many years, it became known as "The House that Betters Built." His appearances at renowned nightspots are too numerous to mention, but a few include Pittsburgh's HOLIDAY HOUSE, Shaker Heights VIRGINIAN, Cleveland's THEATRICAL GRILL, and THE CABANA CLUB's Nero's Nook in Palo Alto, California.
With over a dozen albums and CD's to his credit, Harold can be heard on jazz radio stations and in many area clubs. He continues to be a favorite of sports fans by playing regularly at PITTSBURGH STEELER games.
Harold has performed with Louis Armstrong who described his sound as "rich and honest." Other musicians he has worked with include Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramsey Lewis, and Urbie Green. The Harold Betters Quartet toured with Ray Charles and appeared with comedian, Dick Gregory, at New York's Apollo Theater.
He has guested on several television shows including "The Tonight Show," "Merv Griffin," and "Mike Douglas," as well as on local TV programs in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and San Francisco. Recognized by the Playboy Jazz Poll as one of the best trombonists in the country, and as "Mr. Versatility" by Downbeat Magazine, he has also been named "Man of the Year in Music" by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
His formal musical training was received at Ithaca College and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Mr. Betters contributes mastery of his craft to the future by conducting jazz clinics, seminars, and workshops on the campuses of INDIANA, PENN STATE, PITT, and WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY.
THE MAN and his horn are legendary - our nation's audiences have been richly blessed to have heard him.
