Vocalist and jazz promoter Tania Grubbs has a new CD out that is getting national airplay (as well as on WZUM), “Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar.”
David Budway
Tania Grubbs, Jeff Grubbs
Recorded in Nyack, NY, it is a reunion of Pittsburgh Jazz royalty - matching Tania with drummer James Johnson III, guitarist Ron Affif, bassist (and Tania’s husband) Jeff Grubbs, and pianist, composer and singer David Budway - who hosted the group for this recording at the club he co-owns, named for his late sister, vocalist Maureen Budway.
We’ve been wanting to talk with Tania on the radio about the new CD for a while, but COVID-19 got in the way. We finally coordinated, online with ZOOM for WZUM and matched Tania and Jeff Grubbs, plus David Budway, together, to chat about the music, the club and the magic.
The hour also includes music from David Budway from his recent release, “the Jazz Piano Man,” a gem from vocalist Maureen Budway, and a short tribute to the vocalist and jazz inspiration Annie Ross, who passed away this week just shy of her 90th birthday. Look below on this page for some special videos of Annie Ross, too.
The Scene on WZUM - Thursday at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5pm on WZUM
1959 - Accompanied by the Count Basie Septet, Annie Ross sings Twisted, which features her lyrics set to a Wardell Gray tune. Ross is then joined by Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Joe Williams.
Annie Ross with Charlie Rose, 1994