Thomas Wendt on Roy Eldridge - the MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour

Marty Ashby is joined by drummer and jazz historian Thomas Wendt to explore the electrifying Verve era of Pittsburgh-born trumpeter Roy Eldridge.

Friday and Sunday nights at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM

The Rhetorical becomes the musical with Kate Borger this time - as she shares music that starts with a question.

Friday morning at 10, Saturday morning at 11 on WZUM.

Pittsburgh Jazz Stories - Lou Stellute Dwayne Dolphin and Jon Bartel on the Scene on WZUM

This week’s program came from conversations in early August on the lawn at the Highland Park “Jazz at the Reservoir” series with Roger Humphries and the RH Factor - Specifically with Lou Stellute and Dwayne Dolphin.

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

MCG Jazz Staff Picks on the Spotlight Show

With the MCG Jazz 39th season just around the corner, our staff join Marty Ashby in the studio to talk about the artists performing this coming season. You'll hear our favorites by Kurt Elling, Bela Fleck, Mindi Abair, Endea Owens, and more!

Friday and Sunday nights at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM

Kate Borger shares sounds from various parings - including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald; Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, alto jazz masters Phil Woods and Grace Kelly; Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones, flutists Herbie Mann and Sam Most; pianists Eliane Elias and Chick Corea and many more.

Playing duos and pairs with Kate Borger on Rhythm-a-ning with Kate Borger.

Friday morning at 10:00 and Saturday a 11 on WZUM

An extended interview and listening session with The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival headliner, Dee Dee Bridgewater.

The day before our interview, NEA jazz master vocalist Sheila Jordan died at age 96. Dee Dee Bridgewater and Sheila had become good friends over the past 4 decades. We talk about Sheila, Dee Dee and much more - including important advice Dee Dee received early on from trumpeter and bandleader Thad Jones.

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

Marty Ashby sits down for engaging conversations with special guests: vocalist Nicole Henry and bassist (and Pittsburgh native) Richie Goods. These beloved friends of MCG Jazz discuss their upcoming performance at the Greer Cabaret Theater on August 21.

Friday and Sunday nights at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM

The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is just a little more than a month away. The lineup is filled with new faces and players and voices and well known favorites, too.

One of the headliners is well known, but not so much as a singer of jazz. Keith David has been seen on Broadway, on film and television. Keith David also narrated the permanent August Wilson exhibit, The Writer’s Landscape, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. He also will be honored in 2026 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We visit with Keith David on his Pittsburgh appearance in September and on his new album, “Between Takes.”

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