Mon Valley Academy for the Arts (MVAA) is excited to announce a significant public art installation honoring our region’s rich musical history. A large mural featuring the likenesses of local music legends Sam Bill, Vinnie Colaiuta, Scott Elias, John Gresh, Cheryl Hardwick, Jeff Lashway, Danny Leoni, Jerry Leoni, Mark Smith, and Van Ross Redding was painted on the side of the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center (MVAA South), located at 119 Brownsville Avenue. This exciting project is part of Rivers of Steel’s Creative Leadership Program, completed with funding support from The Benedum Foundation, Pennsylvania Council for the Arts’ Creative Communities Project, and an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant. Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences. The Creative Leadership Program is a three-year intensive community development incubator for communities through the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
Throughout 2024, participants collaborated closely with Rivers of Steel staff members Ashley Kyber and Jon Engel, engaging in various events and public art initiatives for Brownsville’s downtown area. Muralist Atalie Gagnet was chosen to lead the mural project, working alongside local youth, artists, and residents interested in learning about large-scale mural design and installation. Known for her ability to create impactful public art, Atalie draws on her fine arts background and extensive painting experience to craft murals that enliven and connect communities. For this project, she partnered with residents to design a mural that is both accessible and deeply reflective of Brownsville’s unique heritage.
The mural celebrates these influential figures whose contributions have shaped the region’s music scene. The unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at MVAA South. It featured live performances from MVAA’s talented student performance groups, including members from VoiceZ on Fire and the Regimental Fife & Drum Unit.
This family-friendly event was free and open to the public. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments, live music, and an opportunity to celebrate the cultural legacy of our region’s extraordinary musicians. The mural is a tribute to their lasting impact on the community and the music world.
Annette Buffer, MVAA President, shared her enthusiasm for the project:
“We are excited to work with Rivers of Steel to honor these Brownsville legends. This mural will preserve their legacy and inspire future generations of musicians.”
MVAA is grateful to Rivers of Steel for their dedication to the arts and for making this project possible. Their support reflects a commitment to promoting and preserving the Mon Valley’s cultural heritage.
About the Brownsville Music Legends
Samuel J. “Sammy” Bill Jr. (1928–2017) was a transformative band director from 1950 to 1985, leading the Brownsville Area High School band to national championship in 1969. Through his innovative and rigorous practice routines, Sam cultivated a culture of pride, loyalty, and excellence that left a lasting legacy in the Mon Valley.
Vincent Peter Colaiuta, born February 5, 1956, in Brownsville, PA is an American drummer renowned for his technical brilliance and versatility across genres. A session musician and longtime collaborator with artists like Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, and Sting, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2014.
Scott Elias, born and raised in Brownsville, PA, has a deep connection to music, having played with many talented musicians in the Pittsburgh area. He has worked as a film producer for several years, rekindling his love for music production while composing his own tunes and continuing to play the B3 and piano, proudly identifying as an artist, fan, and industry professional.
Jeff Lashway, originally from Pittsburgh, is a pianist best known for his tenure as the final pianist for jazz legend Maynard Ferguson. He has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, trained in classical piano before branching into jazz and pop music. Jeff has played, toured, and recorded with various artists, reuniting with longtime friend Vinnie Colaiuta on his first release, Reunion, which features Jimmy Hall, former lead singer of Wet Willie.
Danny Leoni, originally from Republic, PA, developed his musical skills in the Brownsville Area High School Band. He toured New England with various bands before joining the Bill Moio Quartet. An accomplished musician, he earned the Reno Area Music Award for Best Jazz Bassist in 1986 and has taught music clinics at schools and universities. Currently, he performs with the PettyBreakers, the top tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and teaches at Leoni Music Studios in Rosamond, CA.
Jerry Leoni, originally from Republic, PA, began drumming at age ten and started his professional career in high school, playing in polka and Top 40 bands around Pittsburgh. Now based in Los Angeles, he has toured nationally with Marie Osmond, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly Parton, and for the past 21 years has performed with The Lettermen, though he frequently returns to Pennsylvania, where his musical journey first began.
John Gresh, a Pittsburgh-based performer and educator, has acted with Quantum Theatre, barebones productions, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre. In addition to directing for local companies and teaching at universities like Carnegie Mellon and Point Park, he regularly performs New Orleans rhythm and blues and is completing his term as Co-Chair of the National Playwriting Program (Region II) for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Cheryl E. Hardwick (Quack Moore), born in 1944 in Brownsville, PA, is a composer, pianist, and former musical director for Saturday Night Live, celebrated for her contributions to Sesame Street and numerous films. After relocating to Hawai‘i Island in 2001, she reinvented herself as a nonprofit leader, overseeing the restoration of Hilo’s historic Palace Theater while actively promoting local arts and culture. With a lifelong passion for music, Hardwick continues to engage the community through performances and creative events that reflect her vibrant spirit and dedication to the arts.
Van Ross Redding is a singer, songwriter, and keyboardist from Brownsville known for his contributions to the music industry through his own record label. He has composed, arranged, and performed on numerous albums, showcasing his versatile musicianship. Van’s songwriting skill is evident in his collaborations with iconic artists such as Luther Vandross, The Commodores, Natalie Cole, and Con Funk Shun, where he provided vocals and keyboard performances, and played a pivotal role in the creative process.
Mark A. Smith, a drummer, the founder and CEO of the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts, has worked in the Mon Valley music industry for over 50 years, starting as a student under Edward “Prof” Sweadner and later studying with Twin Coaches Orchestra drummer Bill Crockett. After a chance meeting with Maestro Joe Campus in 2015 led to the “Coaches Tribute” concert, he established the MVAA, now the Mon Valley’s arts and cultural nonprofit, where he aims to “save the music and pass it on to the next generation.”