When he thinks about the documentary “Pass It On,” that has been made about his life, noted Jazz musician Roger Humphries can’t stop pinching himself.
“It’s nice to have people recognizing you,” said Humphries, a native Pittsbugher who has performed since the age of three and a half. He began performing professionally at the age of 14 and has played with such greats as Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silvers and Ray Charles. “This documentary is about family, friends and having faith.
“I am a musician who loves what he does and has stayed true to his gifts and talents. Having the option to live and work anywhere in the world, I chose to live and raise my family right here in Pittsburgh. I have been blessed to make a living doing what I love and equally feel a responsibility to uplift and nurture the children who are coming up in later generations.
“I have committed my time, my energy, my passion and my finances to ensuring that a musical tradition is passed on to young talented artists. I am humbled and thankful to Billy Jackson for this great honor.”
Directed and produced by Billy Jackson, a national award-winning documentarian and principal owner of NOMMO Productions, “Pass It On” was a three-year endeavor that Jackson believed was the perfect vehicle to bring Humphries’ humble personality and his unique philosophy of reaching back and helping others—particularly young musicians—to the masses.
In addition to “Pass It On,” NOMMO has produced documentary, dramatic and promotional films for various clients including BET, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, the New York Department of General Services and Alcoa.
But Roger Humphries and the “Pass It On” documentary hold a special place in Jackson’s heart.
“I wanted to share Mr. Humphries’ worldview with others,” Jackson said. “Perhaps it will inspire us to all give back that which we have been given in some tangible manner. I hope that the film is viewed by many, is well received and that I have channeled Roger’s grace and humbleness in a way that is true to him.”
Jackson said “Pass It On” was initially titled “Roger Humphries: Connections” but that title was quickly scrapped as the story expanded and Jackson began to see Humphries’ many connections to Pittsburgh’s musical youth, his own family and the Pittsburgh neighborhood he grew up in and still resides in.
“It is a great story to tell, an easy story to tell and I use musicians and music to tell the story,” Jackson said. “I hope I succeeded in doing a nice narrative. The operative work for Roger is that he’s an excellent example of humanity. A lot of people call him dad. The essence of humanity is what Roger is.”
A red-carpet premier and fundraiser will be held at the Manchester Craftsman Guild, 1815 Metropolitan Street, on Saturday, February 22.
In addition to seeing “Pass It On,” VIP’s will enjoy cocktails, butlered hors d’oeuvres with a Jazz jam session by the CAPA Performing Arts students. After the premier, an exclusive presentation of an award that was crafted by Pittsburgh’s own Thad Mosley will be done as well as a coffee and desert reception.
Ticket prices for the VIP cocktail hour and the Jazz jam are $125; general admission ticket pricing is $50 with a limited number of young professional tickets priced at $30. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for VIP’s and 7:30 for young professionals and general admission.
Tickets are available online at www.rhpassiton.com and www.mcgjazz.org or Stedeford’s Records, 417 East Ohio Street on the North Side; Center of Attraction 2019 Centre Avenue in the Hill District; and Dorsey’s Records, 7614 Frankstown Avenue in Homewood.
The black-tie event will be spearheaded by Mayor Bill Peduto and Bill Strickland. Money collected from the fundraiser will benefit four Pittsburgh-area non-profit organizations that educate musically gifted youth: The Afro-American Music Institute, The Roger L. Humphries Music Scholarship Fund, The Jazz Workshop of Homestead and The Lighthouse Arts, Inc.
Pamela Johnson of the African American Music Institute is honored that Humphries chose her organization as one of the benefactors of the event’s funds.
“My husband and I moved to Pittsburgh from Louisiana in 1977 and one of our first opportunities to perform with Roger Humphries was in 1979 at a fundraiser for the James Johnson choir that Roger helped us with. We were new to the music scene in Pittsburgh and we felt like we had arrived! AAMI is honored to know that a legendary artist like Roger Humphries chose us as one of the beneficiaries,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the money will give AAMI the opportunity to provide scholarships to community youth.
“The money will go to help other kids in neighborhoods who can’t afford to get music lessons. That’s what it means to ‘Pass It On,” Humphries said. “I want the audience to walk away with joy, peace and happy feelings. I want people to leave all of their problems behind and afterwards get ready to get back to their world.”
Taking people away from the mundane in life is why Humphries performs weekly at CJ’s in the Strip each Thursday night and why he continues to make music.
“My fans at CJ’s call it church. I didn’t start that, they did. All races and everyone comes and enjoys the music and is happy for those four hours,” Humphries said.
He recently released his third CD “Keep the Faith,” where he worked with some of Pittsburgh’s Jazz greats like Sean Jones, Dewayne Dolphin, George Jones and Brett Williams.
In addition to “Keep the Faith,” Humphries is also rebuilding town homes in his neighborhood. Annually he awards scholarships to talented young musicians and awards them with the money during a scholarship boat ride on the Gateway Clipper.
“It is a yearly scholarship boat ride where kids are selected and are given the money and are basically honored,” Humphries said.
This year’s excursion is scheduled for June 1. Submission guidelines and deadline can be found on Humphries web site www.rogerhumphries.com.
“My family and roots are in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is not that big a city, but it’s big enough. I come from a family of 10 and I am the youngest. I said I would take New York back to Pittsburgh,” Humphries said. “People come from all over the world to hear the Jazz scene here in Pittsburgh. We are still connected with the roots that Pittsburgh has. We try to encourage people to do as much as you can before you get out of here and live each day like it’s your last.”
