John Mehegan, Casual Affair With a Song in My Heart

Mehegan gigged around Massachusetts and in 1941 moved to New York. He recorded four songs as a leader for Savoy in 1945 and worked as a pianist, educator (teaching at Juilliard starting in 1947) and occasional writer throughout the 1950's. That decade was his most active period as a player; he recorded four albums for Savoy during 1954-56 with a quartet, trio, as a piano soloist and in a trio with fellow pianist Eddie Costa and bassist Vinnie Burke. In 1959 he teamed up with trumpeter Kenny Dorham for a record date for the Request label. That year he toured South Africa (recording with a young Hugh Masekala for the obscure Gallo-Continental label) but ran into trouble with the authorities for "fraternizing" with black musicians. Mehegan's last recording took place in 1960 (a few titles with a trio) but he kept active as an educator during his last two decades. John Mehegan published many instructional books on jazz, wrote reviews for Downbeat and other magazines, and was a busy lecturer on jazz and improvisation.
Scott Yanow
Source : www.allmusic.co...

[@jamesjankowiak5225]

My grandfather, Philip Mehegan worshipped John, his cousin. I never got to meet him, now with You Tube I’m learning so much about him, but it’s inspiring to discover he was so influential. I play music as a hobby (I’m a visual artist/educator) and feel a deep connection to him, even if he’s a distant relative.

[@n.brucenelson5920]

I moved to Westport, CT in 1967 a a Jr in high school, and John accepted me as a piano student. I never had the musical muse, but as John explained the the musical to me in analytical fashion, I found myself relating to music that had been largely closed to me before. His patience with me has been a lifelong gift as listener to music, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for the time he spent with me.

[@fredphipps9452]

Wonderful to have live track of John Mehegan playing!

[@glenrose7925]

John Mehegan's wonderful and comprehensive jazz piano method books were my primary jazz education in college. i'm very happy to see he has a KZbin presence.

[@AndyEbon]

Victor... thanks for posting this track from John Mehegan. I had the privilege of being his piano student for about 5 years, just more than 50 years ago. My mom and I would travel from the Bronx down to his Manhattan brownstone for lessons every week. I would bring in a few choice records and he would chart them, on-the-fly, usually from a single play. He made it so easy to for me read music and excel at an early age. Then, he moved out of town (Connecticut, I think) to write some of his best instructional books. Never was able to quite replace him as a piano teacher, but I never lost the value of time spent with him. I still count this album as one of my small collection of vinyl records, though I have it in CD, too. Just wanted to share the personal memory. Andy

[@tararashan499]

Love you Dad! Thanks, Victor, for posting this!! 😍 --Tara Mehegan

[@jamesjankowiak5225]

I’m a distant relative of yours, my grandfather was Philip Mehegan. I wish I got to meet your dad, my grandfather bragged about him all the time. He was an important man to us even though we separated by cities and life choices. Peace Tara.

[@zygomatrix]

Par ses livres géniaux, John Mehegan nous fait comprendre comment fonctionne l'improvisation, comment la travailler, et comment arrangeaient et composaient les maîtres du piano jazz. Et en plus, il était un excellent pianiste lui aussi! MERCI!!

[@victoralonsoestravagario]

Thank you very much for your comment Andy. I'm very happy to read how important and relevant it's for you the John Mehegan music. It's a pleasure. Would like to take the opportunity to wish you all the best for he year 2014. Very best regards.

[@fradifoci]

A possible correction. I attended Juilliard between 1959 and 1967. John Mehegan was the first ever jazz-instructing professor at the school and we have not had the course till the mid 60s. So 1947 is a bit off. Please correct me if I am wrong. Balazs Monoki