Articles

Jazz great Chuck Austin passes at 84

Category: Entertainment Published on Friday, 08 June 2012 10:12 Written by Courier Newsroom

Charles “Chuck” Austin one of Pittsburgh’s jazz greats passed away of cancer Saturday, May 26 at Aspinwall Veterans Administration hospice at the age of 84.

CHUCK AUSTIN

Austin was honored by the City of Pittsburgh in February 2011, proclaiming February 8 Chuck Austin Day in the City Of Pittsburgh for the many things he has done to help musicians in the city.

Besides being a legendary trumpet player, he played with most of the jazz greats from all over the country. Some such greats were Dr. Nelson Harrison, Harold Betters, Joe Negri, Cecil Brooks II, Roger Humphries, Dr. John Wilson, Dr. James Johnson Jr. and Eugene "Gene" Ludwig, just to name a few.

Austin was a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame, he was the founder and president of the African American Jazz Preservation Society of Pittsburgh, and an executive board member of the Pittsburgh Musician's Union.

The wake for Austin, was May 31, at the White Funeral Home located at 7204 Thomas Blvd. Funeral services were held June 1 at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in East Liberty. He was cremated at a private cremation service, shortly after the wake and viewing. There was also a tribute dedication jazz show at CJ’s in the strip hosted by friend Rodger Humphries.