Trudy Pitts facts for kids

Gertrude E. "Trudy" Pitts (August 10, 1932 – December 19, 2010) was an American soul jazz musician. She was famous for playing the Hammond B3 organ. Trudy Pitts was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About Trudy Pitts

Trudy Pitts was a very talented musician and music teacher. She studied at several well-known schools. These included the Philadelphia Musical Academy, Temple University, and Juilliard.

Early in her career, she worked as an assistant pianist. This was for the musical Raisin, which won a special award called a Tony Award.

After the musical's tour ended, her husband encouraged her. He was a drummer and had worked with another famous organist, Shirley Scott. He told Trudy to keep improving her music skills.

In 1967, a newspaper called Boston Globe wrote about her. They said she was a rising star. They praised how she used the organ's drawbars (sliders that change the sound). They also liked her vibrato (a wavering effect in music) and how she played the bass pedals with her feet.

Music and Performances

Trudy Pitts and her husband, William Theodore Carney II (also known as Mr. C.), worked together a lot. They produced and performed at many music festivals. Some of these were The Mellon Jazz Festival Organ Jams and the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival. They also put on "Jazz in the Sanctuary" concerts. These concerts featured famous musicians like Grover Washington, Jr., Etta James, and Lionel Hampton.

Trudy Pitts also played with other jazz legends. These included Ben Webster, Gene Ammons, and Sonny Stitt. She recorded four albums for Prestige Records. She also played with musicians like Willis Jackson.

In 1999, a special compilation album was released. It was called Legends of Acid Jazz: Trudy Pitts With Pat Martino. This album combined songs from some of her earlier records.

Trudy Pitts continued to perform at big events. In May 2006, she played at the 11th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival. This was held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C..

On September 15, 2006, Trudy Pitts made history in Philadelphia. She was the first jazz artist to play a concert on the Kimmel Center's huge 7,000-pipe organ. People said she took organ music to a "whole new level." In 2008, she played another amazing organ. This was the Filene Organ at the Kennedy Center.

Trudy Pitts passed away on December 19, 2010, at the age of 78.

Main Albums

Trudy Pitts released several albums as the main artist:

• 1967: Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts (Prestige)
• 1967: These Blues of Mine (Prestige)
• 1968: A Bucketful of Soul (Prestige)
• 1968: The Excitement of Trudy Pitts (Prestige)
• 1993: Me, Myself And I (Scorp Leo) - a solo piano album
• 2007: Live At The Great American Music Hall (Doodlin')

She also played on albums by other artists:

• With Pat Martino: El Hombre (1967)
• With Willis Jackson: Star Bag (1968)
• With Roland Kirk: Other Folks' Music (1976)

See also

In Spanish: Trudy Pitts para niños