Hill District native hosts jazz jams, nurtures young talent in Pittsburgh

Back in the day, the Hill District’s Crawford Grill was the place to be — especially for jazz musicians trying to make their mark on Pittsburgh’s music scene.

Today, one Hill District saxophonist is keeping that tradition alive, nurturing city jazz musicians one gig at a time.

“I’m from the Hill District; you have to play at the Crawford Grill,” Tony Campbell said. “You weren’t anyone until you got kicked out by (the owner) Buzzy.”

During a recent show at Liberty Magic Hall, the audience laughed and reveled in the good old days while Campbell recalled stories from his time growing up in Pittsburgh and his family and friends who encouraged him in between each of his songs. Liberty Magic Hall was electric, between the laughter, bouncing knees, nodding heads and the occasional “whoop” after each jam.

Campbell, now 62, was the youngest saxophone player to be inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Hall of Fame in 2010. He hosts regular jam sessions for younger musicians to get familiar with the Steel City’s jazz community and learn the language of music.

Beginning his musical career in 1973, Campbell has since traveled around the world to play saxophone. He has been featured with Duke Ellington, Diahann Carroll, Aretha Franklin and more.

Campbell and his band hold jazz concerts all over the Pittsburgh area at venues like Con Alma, Golden Age Brewery and Liberty Magic. For Campbell, the weekly jazz and improv sessions are a way to pay it forward.

“I remember my mentors who mentored me and brought me up in the world and community of jazz,” Campbell said in a phone interview. “I was brought up by mentors and so I try to help the younger musicians that deserve it; you help them along and help them do what they can do.”

Jam sessions combine written and rehearsed music as well as opportunities for improvisation and experimenting with rhythm and style.

“My favorite part of working with the younger musicians is giving them a challenge or a song to study and they learn it but also take it to a new, higher level,” Campbell said.

Connected with the music schools, societies and performances in the area, Campbell said he watches out for new talent in the Pittsburgh region and encourages them to join his jam sessions.

“It’s about getting younger musicians ready for musical situations,” Campbell said.

Pianist Antonio Croes, a 2019 graduate of Duquesne University, played weekly with Campbell for about five years. Croes still joins Campbell during jazz sessions on a regular basis.

“Playing with Tony, I know a lot of musicians in town consider it a rite of passage in a way if you’re a Pittsburgh jazz musician,” Croes said. “Tony really cares about the music first and foremost, and as a result of that care he really looks out for young, serious musicians.”

Campbell stressed the importance of how these sessions translate to future careers in jazz.

“It’s to speak the language of jazz,” Campbell said. “The music we play, the style we play requires a certain vocabulary to execute these tunes and also to be a part of things and go on in the jazz world.”

Croes noted how he was encouraged by his professors to play in jazz clubs with other musicians and how that offered real world experiences.

“You can learn this music in school; but really where you learn the music is out on the bandstand with the older and more experienced musicians,” Croes said.

Campbell’s presence in the Pittsburgh community is noted not only by his saxophone playing but also by his work with young musicians.

“Almost everyone that I work with now, whenever they were younger, were at some point in Tony’s band,” Croes said. “Tony occupies a special place in the scene; he is a part of what makes the scene happen in Pittsburgh. We are all very appreciative of him and hope he continues to do what he does because it’s a beautiful thing.”

Emily Ambery is a contributing writer and Duquesne University student