January is often a month of reset - in life and in the Jazz Scene in Pittsburgh. For the restaurant and club scene, it can be relatively slow, so some venues cut back on hours and days - and some live music spots just take a few weeks off.
In January 2026 - some turns and twists - and more music to share and stories to tell. And some new venues, too - like the Park House on the Northside - where Kenny Blake will be playing Wednesdays and Aaron Lewinter and the Fortune of Love on Fridays.
Meanwhile - Pittsburgh has a big place in New York THIS week - where Roger Humphries will be featured at Jazz At Lincoln Center during the 2026 Jazz Congress. Thursday the 8th is a very special concert during the Unity Jazz Festival for winners of the Jazz Legacy Fellowships from the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and Roger will be joined by other legendary performers like Carmen Lundy, Reggie Workman, George Coleman, Billy Hart, Tom Harrell and more.
Earlier in the day, I’ll be in that same venue in Manhattan - leading a panel with NPR and station leaders on the Future of Public Media.
Back in Pittsburgh - Con Alma continues a very important campaign to keep the venue hopping - during the aforementioned slow times of winter, too. Details on that at THIS LINK. There are many other venues still rolling on in January - and you can find the details directions maps and more at the Jazz Central Calendar.
January 16th will be a very notable day for two visitors to Pittsburgh - guitarist Shawn Purcell (Pittsburgh Native) with his quintet featuring his wife Darden Purcell and tenor saxophone master Don Aliquo Jr (Pittsburgh native). Shawn and company will be at Con Alma - Friday night, January 16 at 7. We spoke with Shawn about his new record Oblivity, about his music and much more.
We also share music and a chat with bassist, filmmaker, producer and President of Blue Note Records, Don Was. He’s coming to Pittsburgh with the Pan-Detroit Ensemble at the Thunderbird Music Hall, January 16th. We talk about his journey coming BACK to playing live music, about his new record, and why it is so powerful and rewarding.
The Scene - Thursday night at six, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on WZUM.
