National Music

PittSongs – D’Arc’s Family Jams

Posted on March 30, 2023

    Song: “Rt 30 Billboard Jesus” Artist: D’Arc’s Family Jams Album: D’Arc’s Family Jams Year Released: 2023 Genre: Psychedelic Soul Local Connection: Originally from Johnstown, PA Did you know? D’Arc’s Family Jams is comprised of brothers Jake and Mike D’Arc who’s first band was Peanut Butter Lovesicle PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh […]

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PittSongs – Sapphirecut

Posted on August 1, 2022

  Song: “Ahimsa” Artist: Sapphirecut (w/ Jake Knights) Album: Single Release Year Released: 2018 Genre: Trance Local Connection: Born and raised in Pittsburgh Did you know? Sapphirecut (Megan Taylor) got her stage name when she realized that a sapphire needle is used to create a dub plate as she was helping physically balance a friend’s […]

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PittSongs – Cristina Black

Posted on July 1, 2022

  Song: “All I Want” Artist: Cristina Black Album: The Ditty Sessions Year Released: 2010 Genre: Pop Local Connection: Born and raised in Pittsburgh Did you know? Cristina Black has written articles for various publications including The Village Voice, Nylon, Dazed and Confused, Time Out New York, and LA Weekly           […]

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PittSongs – Mary Lou Williams

Posted on June 1, 2022

  Song: “A Grand Nite for Swinging” Artist: Mary Lou Williams Album: Mary Lou Williams Year Released: 1951 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Grew up in Pittsburgh Did you know? She is one of three women to appear in the iconic photograph by Art Kane “A Great Day in Harlem” in 1958 PittSongs is a non-chronological […]

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PittSongs – Nia Sioux

Posted on May 26, 2022

  Song: “Star in Your Own Life” Artist: Nia Sioux Album: Single Release Year Released: 2015 Genre: Pop Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 2001 Did you know? Nia Sioux gained attention as the longest tenured dancer on the TV program Dance Moms PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Nia Sioux #PittSongs […]

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PittSongs – Roy Eldridge

Posted on May 25, 2022

  Song: “Algo Bueno” Artist: Roy Eldridge (w/Dizzy Gillespie) Album: Roy and Diz Year Released: 1954 Genre: Swing Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1911 Did you know?  Roy Eldridge, as the featured trumpet soloist in Artie Shaw and Gene Krupa’s bands, was something of an exception, as black musicians in the 1930s were not […]

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First/Last – Tiny Dinosaur

Posted on May 22, 2022

“You’ve heard it all before. But if you remain skeptical without a cup how will you overflow? Everybody doubts. Where did your certainty go? You were sure of it a minute ago.“ Tiny Dinosaur is a band from New Orleans that makes folk music for the mass extinction event. Layers of harmonies over bizarre, humorous, […]

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PittSongs – Danniebell Hall

Posted on May 19, 2022

  Song: “Ordinary People” Artist: Danniebell Hall Album: Let Me Have a Dream Year Released: 1976 Genre: Gospel Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1938 Did you know?  Danniebelle Hall learned to play piano at the age of three and played piano in her church PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Danniebell […]

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PittSongs – Leo Robin

Posted on May 18, 2022

  Song: “Love in Bloom” Artist: Leo Robin (Bing Crosby) Album: She Loves Me Not Year Released: 1934 Genre: Popular Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1900 Did you know?  Leo Robin (lyrics) and Ralph Rainger (music), with over 50 hit songs, became the leading film songwriting duo of the ’30s and early ’40s PittSongs […]

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PittSongs – Amy Rigby

Posted on May 12, 2022

  Song: “Dancing with Joey Ramone” Artist: Amy Rigby Album: Little Fugitive Year Released: 2005 Genre: Rock Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1959 Did you know? Amy Rigby wrote an autobiography Girl to City: A Memoir in 2019 PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Amy Rigby #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

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PittSongs – Billy Eckstine

Posted on May 11, 2022

  Song: “No One But You” Artist: Billy Eckstine Album: Billy Eckstine Sings Year Released: 1949 Genre: Popular Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1914 Did you know? Billy Eckstine was a fashion icon. He was famous for his “Mr. B. Collar” – a high roll collar that formed a “B” over a Windsor-knotted tie (or without […]

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PittSongs – Christina Aguilera

Posted on May 6, 2022

  Song: “Genie in a Bottle” Artist: Christina Aguilera Album: Christina Aguilera Year Released: 1999 Genre: Dance-Pop Local Connection: Moved to Pittsburgh in 1986 at age 6 Did you know? Christina Aguilera’s debut, self-titled album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and she won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards PittSongs is […]

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PittSongs – Geri Allen

Posted on May 4, 2022

  Song: “Andrew” Artist: Geri Allen Album: The Printmakers Year Released: 1984 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Completed a master’s degree in enthnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982 and eventually became an associate professor of music and director of the Jazz Studies program there in 2013 Did you know? Geri Allen was awarded many […]

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PittSongs – Melvin and Mervin Steals

Posted on May 2, 2022

  Song: “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” Artist: Melvin and Mervin Steals (The Spinners) Album: Spinners Year Released: 1972 Genre: Philadelphia Soul Local Connection: Songwriters Melvin and Mervin Steals are twins who were born in Pittsburgh in 1946 Did you know? The Steals brothers went by their professional names, Mystro & Lyric PittSongs […]

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PittSongs – Dopapod

Posted on April 29, 2022

  Song: “Trapper Keeper” Artist: Dopapod Album: Redivider Year Released: 2012 Genre: Jam Band Local Connection: Last song played before a paying audience at the The Rex Theater before it prematurely shutdown due to the pandemic on March 7, 2020 Did you know? Dopapod was formed at Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 2008, as […]

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PittSongs – Andy Warhol

Posted on April 22, 2022

  Song: “Venus in Furs” Artist: Andy Warhol (The Velvet Underground) Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico Year Released: 1967 Genre: Drone Rock Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1928 Did you know? Andy Warhol was credited as a co-producer on the album (with Tom Wilson) but besides designing the groundbreaking cover art, bringing together […]

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PittSongs – Dakota Staton

Posted on April 21, 2022

  Song: “The Late, Late Show” Artist: Dakota Staton Album: The Late, Late Show Year Released: 1957 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1930 Did you know? Dakota Staton’s debut album The Late, Late Show was a #4 chart hit, unusual at the time for a Jazz record which usually had more moderate […]

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PittSongs – Al Cleveland

Posted on April 18, 2022

  Song: “I Second That Emotion” Artist: Al Cleveland (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles) Album: 45 RPM Single Release Year Released: 1967 Genre: Soul Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1930 Did you know? Al Cleveland co-wrote many Motown classic songs including “Dinah” for The Temptations and “What’s Going On” with Marvin Gaye PittSongs is […]

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PittSongs – Herb Magidson

Posted on April 15, 2022

  Song: “The Continental” Artist: Herb Magidson (Fred Astaire Album: The Gay Divorcee Year Released: 1934 Genre: Swing Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1906 Did you know? Herb Magidson won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1934 for his lyrics to “The Continental”, used in film The Gay Divorcee PittSongs is a non-chronological history […]

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PittSongs – Sarah Marince

Posted on April 14, 2022

  Song: “Just Feel Right” Artist: Sarah Marince Album: You’re My Summertime EP Year Released: 2008 Genre: Country Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1990 Did you know? Sarah Marince relocated to Orlando, FL and began doing radio, television and voiceover work. She has done commercial work for Disney, Wal-Mart, Nestle, Gaylord Palms Resort, Florida […]

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