John Mehegan

John Francis Mehegan (June 6, 1916 – April 3, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, lecturer and critic.

Early life Mehegan was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on June 6, 1916, although he sometimes gave the year as 1920. He began playing the violin in 1926 and played for seven years without enjoying it.

Later life and career In New York, Mehegan played in clubs. He also taught at the Juilliard School of Music (1947–64), Columbia University Teachers College (1958 to 1961 or 1962), the University of Bridgeport (1968–77) and Yale University (1974–83). Mehegan was questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee, where he was an uncooperative witness. He was the jazz critic for the New York Herald Tribune from 1957 to 1960. and was published between 1959 and 1965. Mehegan died in New Canaan, Connecticut, on April 3, 1984.

Discography 1952 From Barrelhouse to Bop (Perspective) 1954 The First Mehegan (Savoy) 1955 The John Mehegan Trio/Quartet (Savoy) - with Charles Mingus & Kenny Clarke 1955 A Pair of Pianos (Savoy)- with Eddie Costa & Vinnie Burke 1956 How I Play Jazz Piano (Savoy) 1959 Casual Affair (T.J. Records) 1960 The Act of Jazz (Epic) - a lecture on various aspects of jazz improvisation, using "I Got Rhythm" to illustrate the aspects discussed.

With Chuck Wayne The Jazz Guitarist (Savoy, 1954 )

Techniques, studies & etudes for piano Contemporary Styles for the Jazz Pianist, in 3 books (1964–70) Famous Jazz Style Piano Folio - with instruction on how to play jazz piano (1958) Jazz Improvisation (1959-65) Vol. 1: Tonal and rhythmic principles (1959) Vol. 2: Jazz rhythm and the improvised line (1962) Vol. 3: Swing and early progressive piano styles (1964) Vol. 4: Contemporary piano styles (1965) The Jazz Pianist, in 3 books: Studies in the art and practice of jazz improvisation (1960–61) Styles for the Jazz Pianist, in 3 books (1962–63) Studies in Jazz Harmony (1962) Improvising Jazz Piano (1985, posthumous)

Original compositions for piano Jazz Bourree (1960) Jazz Preludes (1962) Vienna Woodshed, a jazz waltz for piano 4-hands (1965) Jazz Caper, jazz originals for piano 4-hands (1965)