The Attic and All That Jazz

Yes, the Square is alive with the sound of music these days. Whether it's a free lunchtime concert in the summer or bands entertaining during the evenings at NOLA and other night-life hot spots, you can tap your feet to the beat year-round in the Square. And if you listen closely enough, you almost hear the sweet sounds of Walt Harper tickling the ivories coming from the space above the current Bruegger's Bagel shop in a magical place Pittsburghers once knew simply as "the Attic."

From 1969 to 1976, the Steel City's very own piano man ruled a musical kingdom that drew loyal followers from rank and file Downtown workers, local political and business movers and shakers, and sports superstars like Roberto Clemente, Terry Bradshaw, L.C. Greenwood, and basketball great Connie Hawkins. And on any given night, jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley or the Modern Jazz Quartet would headline at the Attic. The music might start on the downbeat, but it was always an upbeat experience at the Attic with Walt Harper and his Quintet, described by music critics of the day as one of the tightest jazz combos in the entire U.S.

What's especially noteworthy about the Attic is that it was one of the few Downtown jazz clubs in the country owned by an African American. But there was never a color line at the Attic as far as the talented Mr. Harper was concerned. With a following of loyal white fans who first discovered him when he entertained at the legendary Crawford Grill in the Hill District, Walt proved that music transcended race and other differences between people.

Now, according to old news stories, the Attic is part of a story of a revived Market Square, drawing people in with exciting evening activity. Hmmm...kind of sounds familiar, doesn't it? Don't forget, the Market Houses came down only eight years earlier and were replaced by a flat park, leaving fewer reasons to come to the Square and less foot traffic for other businesses in the area.  Back then, a state liquor store did its business in the Bruegger's location, and the Attic moved into the second floor above it, formerly the inscrutably named Mystic Tea Room (pictured here). With two dance floors, the Attic was designed to look like... a real attic. But whatever the decor, Walt and his musical guests shook the rafters with a specially designed sound system. For a lucky seven-year streak, Walt struck the right chord night after night and helped kick start one of the earlier transformations of the Square.

The state store and many other businesses that were in the Square back then have long disappeared. But, the memories of Walt Harper, who died in 2006, still resonate within the hearts and minds of so many Pittsburghers who climbed the stairs to the Attic. Nearly 40 years after the final coda, Walt Harper fans remember a musical giant who lived his life the way he played jazz — with many a grace note.

For more information on Walt Harper's life (off Market Square), we recommend checking out the Old Mon Music blog.

Another Square Deal Downtown

 Hey, it really is hip to be square around these parts these days. After all, Market Square is one of the hottest new dining and nightlife destination spots in Downtown. And in just a few months, we'll welcome back warmer weather with an exciting new schedule of al fresco events in the Square, including the Farmers Market, noontime concerts and the Carnegie Library Reading Room.

Mellon Square opening ceremony
October 18, 1955

But right now Market Square's sister square —Mellon Square — is getting a major overhaul that promises to make this mid-city oasis greener and better than ever thanks to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the City of Pittsburgh and many generous individuals and organizations who are supporting the project.

Working on the Cascade Fountain at the
corner of Wood and Oliver

With the PPC guiding the project, the Mellon Square makeover will cover a lot of ground. In fact, just about every square inch of our sister square will receive some extra special TLC over the next months. In fact, works crews have been on the job since the dog days of last summer, cleaning and repairing the stairways from Smithfield Street, waterproofing the terraces that over hang the shops below and enjoying a great bird's-eye view of some exciting chase scenes from this summer's sure-bet big-screen blockbuster "The Dark Knight Rises." 

Before square one: Parking lots and shops occupied
the spot that became Mellon Square. Courtesy
the Heinz History Center.

While Market Square's been part of the Pittsburgh scene since the city's earliest pioneer days, Mellon Square is a more recent chip off the old ’Burgh block. When it opened in 1955, Mellon Square was a crowning jewel of the city's famed first Renaissance, which helped Pittsburgh blow away its "Smokey City" image. Replacing a crowded block of shops and surface parking lots, Mellon Square earned a place in urban planning as the first green space built on top of an underground parking garage. Since then, generations of Pittsburghers over the past half-century have flocked to the park for a moment of solitude during the day or to relax with co-workers during lunch. 



The City Green: Robert Bowden captures the
beauty of the renovated Mellon Square
in his watercolor rendition.

When the job's done, Mellon Square will more closely bring to life  the original vision for the space. Though part of the initial blueprints, a terrace over the street-level shops never made the final cut. But nearly 60 years later, the former giant planter will welcome visitors to a rectangular refuge from the streets below with grassy areas, benches and handicapped access. The falling waters of the Cascade Fountain will be turned on again and the park's center fountain and pool will shoot spouts of water high in the sky. New trees have already taken root in repaired planter boxes. And while the completed project will most certainly please the eyes of all beholders, some of the most incredible work is below the surface as workers have installed new drainage and irrigation systems, insulation, electrical wiring and waterproofing. 

 So don't forget to take a few steps toward Mellon Square when you're out on the town. You'll enjoy an amazing work in progress.