Piedmont in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Don Redman

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010

1. Don Redman Marker

Inscription.
Born in Piedmont on July 29, 1900. Began playing trumpet at age three; learned to play all wind instruments by age twelve. Graduated from Storer College in 1920. First great arranger in jazz; internationally known as “The Little Giant of Jazz.” Had profound influence on the development and direction of jazz until his death in 1964.

Erected 2008 by the West Virginia Transportation Enhancement Program and West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1598.

Location. 39° 28.986′ N, 79° 2.83′ W. Marker is in Piedmont, West Virginia, in Mineral County. Marker is on Ashfield Street (West Virginia Route 46) just south of Front Street in Westernport, on the right when traveling south. Piedmont, and this marker, is just across the river from Westernport in Maryland, at the town line. West Virginia Route 46 begins here at this marker and is the continuation of Maryland Route 36 (Victory Post Road). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piedmont WV 26750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away in Maryland); Mayo and Savage (approx. ¼ mile away); In Memoriam (approx. 0.4 miles away in Maryland); The Flood of September 1996 (approx. 0.6 miles away in Maryland); Working Together for the Community (approx. 0.6 miles away in Maryland); Our Honored Dead (approx. 0.8 miles away in Maryland). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piedmont.

Also see . . .
1. Don Redman. Wikipedia entry:
“His importance in the formulation of arranged hot jazz can not be overstated; a chief trademark of Redman’s arrangements was that he harmonized melody lines and pseudo-solos within separate sections; for example, clarinet, sax, or brass trios. He played these sections off each other, having one section punctuate the figures of another, or moving the melody around different orchestral sections and soloists. His use of this technique was sophisticated, highly innovative, and formed the basis of much big band jazz writing in the following decades.” (Submitted on July 9, 2010.)

2. Don Redman and His Orchestra. DailyMotion.com video with still pictures

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. Don Redman

of Don Redman and the Don Redman Orchestra accompanied by his music and voice. (Submitted on July 9, 2010.)

Additional keywords. Don Matthew Redman

Welcome Signs and the Don Redman Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010

3. Welcome Signs and the Don Redman Marker

Welcome to wild and wonderful West Virginia, welcome to Mineral County, and welcome to Piedmont.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 979 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 9, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 9, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.