By Brian
Kohn
Rochester Democrat and
Chronicle
[October
8, 1998] -- The Landmark Society of Western New York wants to
preserve more than just Rochester's bricks and mortar.
Yesterday,
the society released a compact disc featuring a collection of songs by
jazz musicians with ties to Rochester.
And Mayor
William A. Johnson Jr., a fan of jazz, declared the eight musicians
Rochester landmarks during a short ceremony at City Hall.
The
65-minute disc features songs by Chuck Mangione, Gap Mangione, Cab
Calloway, Jeff Tyzik, Cabo Frio, Gerry Niewood, Steve Gadd and Esther
Satterfield.
"Not all
landmarks are made of bricks, board, steel and glass," said Paul Nunes,
a member of the Landmark Society board. "The music of Rochester's great
jazz musicians certainly soars higher than the tallest steeple of our
city."
Among the
disc's 11 songs is Calloway's signature song, Minnie the Moocher. In the
late 1920s, the Rochester native's Cotton Club Orchestra was the toast
of Harlem. Chuck Mangione's Grammy winner, Bellavia, also is included.
Chuck teamed with his brother Gap in the 1960s to form the Jazz
Brothers. Both are Rochester music scene legends.
"This music
is as much a part of Rochester's history as anything else, from the
buildings to the corporate entities," Gap Mangione said. "I'm just
astounded that someone would undertake this project."
The
Landmark Society will use the jazz collection as a fund-raiser. The
compact disc, which costs $15.98, is available at most area music
stores.