Highland Park in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Billy Eckstine

(1914-1993)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

1. Billy Eckstine Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

African American jazz balladeer and bandleader whose innovative style and sponsorship of new talent helped revolutionize jazz in the 1940s. One of the nation's most popular vocalists, he had 11 gold records. He grew up in this house.

Erected 1994 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 40° 28.534′ N, 79° 55.155′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Highland Park. Marker is on Bryant Street just east of North Euclid Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Park Land History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Highland Park Zoo (approx. 0.3 miles away); Congregation B'nai Israel

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); Henry Heth (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); East Liberty Presbyterian Church (approx. one mile away); Mary Lou Williams (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . .
1. Billy Eckstine - Wikipedia. There are also several videos of Billy Eckstine vocals available on the internet. (Submitted on March 14, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. Billy Eckstine at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on March 16, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. Billy Eckstine - Behind the Marker. (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

2. Billy Eckstine Marker

Popular American baritone Billy Eckstine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown

3. Popular American baritone Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine in the recording studio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William P. Gottlieb, circa 1948

4. Billy Eckstine in the recording studio

After leading an all-star bop big band, Billy Eckstine in 1947 signed with MGM Records and began a solo career as a ballad singer. In the late 1940s he recorded a string of hits, including "Everything I Have is Yours" (1947), "Blue Moon" (1948), and "Caravan" (1949). Courtesy: Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress

Billy Eckstine's band in Pittsburgh in 1944 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charles "Teenie" Harris, 1944

5. Billy Eckstine's band in Pittsburgh in 1944

Billy Eckstine's band in Pittsburgh in 1944. From left to right: Lucky Thompson, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Billy Eckstine. Courtesy: The Frank Driggs Collection

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,116 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on April 30, 2012, by David G Pellow of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on March 16, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.