Gershwin Appreciation, Byron Stripling with the PSO, Bell and Goods at the Greer Cabaret and More on the Scene on WZUM

April continues to spring forth with great music on the Pittsburgh jazz scene - and some of it has gone symphonic!

We visit with trumpeter, composer and conductor Byron Stripling - leading the Pittsburgh Symphony this weekend (Friday and Saturday night and a Sunday matinee) at Heinz Hall with a great outpouring of beloved music by George Gershwin.

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM

Appreciating Jazz in April under the MCG Jazz Spotlight

Marty Ashby and Renee Govanucci look back on Jazz Appreciation Month highlights performed and recorded at MCG Jazz - all in the month of April. Spyro Gyra, Tom Scott, Ann Hampton Callaway, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, Herbie Mann, Phil Woods and more!

The MCGJazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, and Saturday afternoon at 1.

Billie Holiday's Birthday - with Kate Borger on Rhythm-a-Ning

Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915. Join Kate Borger Friday and Saturday morning on "Rhythm-a-ning" for a birthday celebration featuring music from Billie Holiday, as well as tracks from Pittsburgh artists Tony Campbell, Fred Pugh, Ahmad Jamal, Johnny Costa and Tom Roberts.

Friday morning at 10, Saturday at 11 on WZUM

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Appreciation for Jazz, Theater and Dinah Washington in April - on the Scene on WZUM

April is Jazz Appreciation Month - and the Jazz Central Calendar is showing it in many ways.

One of the ways is theatrical - in the return of a musical play and review by the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater of Ernest McCarty’s exploration of the last year of legendary blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington. We talk to director Mark Clayton Southers, playwright Ernest McCarty Jr - and listen to a lot of Dinah Washington.

Also - music from Terence Blanchard and basist Christian McBride - both in Pittsburgh April 9th.


The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM

Season 38 in the MCG Jazz Spotlight

Season 38 in the MCG Jazz Spotlight

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, Hosts Marty Ashby and Renee Govanucci preview the artists and music of the upcoming 38th Season, the "Season of Firsts."

The season contains 12 total performances, two of which will involve MCGJazz’s first-ever Artist-In-Residence, Ray Angry.

The MCGJazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, and Saturday afternoon at 1.

The Bass March in to April - on the Scene on WZUM

The Bass March in to April -  on the Scene on WZUM

Jazz in Pittsburgh continues on an upward trajectory - with Jazz Appreciation Month (April) featuring a great number of special events in the city and beyond for the weeks ahead. The Jazz Club at the Greer Cabaret Theater with the Bell Family - Featuring Poogie Bell and Winston Bell April 13th; Richie Goods with vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu and their project Connected - April 20th; and Sean Jones & bassist Dwayne Dolphin, April 27th.

Also - music from Terence Blanchard and a nice visit with Basist Christian McBride - both in Pittsburgh April 9th.
The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM