From Scott Hanley - host:
We were traveling this week, as one might do during the holidays. Part of it took us to Phoenix, Arizona. I had the chance on one night to visit the jazz club “The Nash” (the club named for renowned drummer and Phoenix native Louis Nash). The Nash is home to Jazz in Arizona, Inc, a 501(c)(3) that does education work and also runs the jazz club, year round.
I stopped by on December 28th for the Sunday night jam session led by pianist Beth Lederman - and saw a percussionist sitting in who looked VERY familiar.
Adoptive Pittsburgh bandleader and percussionist Hugo Cruz was in town over the holidays, too! Also at the jam session, longtime vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra Dennis Rowland (a Detroit native who has lived in Arizona for several decades).
We had a great visit - unfortunately not recorded for WZUM - but a tremendous reminder of how jazz brings people together from all over.
Scott Hanley, Hugo Cruz, Dennis Rowland
Phoenix pianist / bandleader Beth Lederman courtesy thenash.org
During our visit - it was the first that Hugo Cruz had not learned of the passing of Ernest McCarty, Jr, December 11th - Since we learned and shared that news over Christmas weekend, we’ll reference it again in this week’s program, while we also remember some of the other jazz connections who passed in 2025.
Pittsburgh losses expanded with news this week of the death of guitarist/bassist Larry Estes. Other Pittsburgh-connected artists who left us in 2025 include vocalist Joyce Breach; drummer Chuck Spatafore; bassist Ernest McCarty Jr,; and tuba artist Jim Self.
Deaths elsewhere include: Roy Ayers, Andy Bey, Jack DeJohnnette, Ray Drummond, Al Foster, George Freeman. Hal Galper, Herb Gardner, Bunky Green, Sheila Jordan, Nancy King, Cleo Laine, Chuck Mangione, Jim McNeely, Carl Murphy, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Reid, Lalo Schifrin, Nino Tempo, and Mike Wofford
OUT OF TOWN
NEXT week is Jazz Congress 2026 in New York City. I will be on hand to lead a panel discussion on the future of public media with leaders from stations and NPR on hand. There will also be a lot of music during the event - January 7 and 8 at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Some of that music includes Roger Humphries as a part of the Jazz Legacies Fellowship Honors All-Star Concert in Frederick P. Rose Hall.
Thursday January 8 Schedule, Jazz at Lincoln Center
A year ago April, we sat and visited with Ernest about the play - but also about his career and more. None of this interview has been aired before - and we thought it was important to share, so here it is.