My Best of the ‘Burgh: Roger Humphries
If Pittsburgh had a theme song it would be “Misty” by Erroll Garner, says Humphries.
ROGER HUMPHRIES | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA
For decades, Pittsburghers have had a sure sign that a jazz performance would be unforgettable: Roger Humphries sitting behind the drum set.
The Pittsburgh native has been drumming since the age of 3; in the intervening 77 years, he’s toured the world and provided rhythm for the likes of Ray Charles, Stanley Turrentine, Dizzy Gillespie, Dwayne Dolphin and dozens of other jazz greats.
In Pittsburgh, he’s a former teacher at Pittsburgh CAPA and has formed ensembles including Roger Humphries & the RH Factor Band and the Roger Humphries Big Band. Now an octogenarian — “It’s crazy when your mind gets young,” he jokes — he still performs regularly.
We wanted to know: What is Roger Humphries’ Best of the ’Burgh?
What’s your Pittsburgh “hidden gem,” a place that you love that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Downtown restaurant and jazz club Con Alma
If you could only eat one local meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“I would say Peppi’s,” on the North Side. “I love the chicken salad.”
If Pittsburgh had a theme song, what would it be?
“Misty” by Erroll Garner
What’s the annual tradition that you wait for every year?
The annual “Jazz on the River” cruise on the Gateway Clipper, which Humphries founded more than 30 years ago
Favorite Pittsburgh appearance in a movie or on television?
“One of the more memorable Pittsburgh filming locations I’ve seen in a movie is the Western Penitentiary standing in for the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’ I can appreciate how the gritty, imposing architecture of the former prison helped create such a chilling and foreboding atmosphere for that classic thriller.”
Where’s the first place you take out-of-town guests?
PNC Park and the North Side
If you could bring back one Pittsburgh place or restaurant that’s no longer there, which would you pick?
The Crawford Grill, “where I first met Max Roach — and also sat in and played with Art Blakey and his band”
You get one Incline ride with any Pittsburgher, living or dead. Who is it?
His late friend and collaborator, Stanley Turrentine
