This time out - we visit with Roger Humphries - grateful in NYC, Allan Harris - making music and building a new place in Pennsylvania (we have the scoop), a visit with Najee - on how he’s loved the flute, and didn’t really like the Soprano Sax at first (he’s at City Winery next Thursday, January 22).
And we hear about how Don Was, president of Blue Note Records, got back into playing music at the urging of the recently departed Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. Don Was plays at the Thunderbird Music Hall Friday night with his Pan-Detroit Ensemble - the same night guitarist Shawn Purcell returns home with saxophonist Don Aliquo Jr at Con Alma, also featuring Shawn’s wife, Darden Purcell.
Pittsburgh had a big place in New York last week - where Roger Humphries was featured at Jazz At Lincoln Center during the 2026 Jazz Congress. Thursday the 8th was a very special concert during the Unity Jazz Festival for winners of the Jazz Legacy Fellowships from the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and Roger was joined by other legendary performers like Carmen Lundy, Reggie Workman, George Coleman, Billy Hart, Tom Harrell and more.
Earlier in the day, I was in that same venue in Manhattan - leading a panel with NPR and station leaders on the Future of Public Radio. We hope to have a recording of that conversation to share, soon.
Back in Pittsburgh - Con Alma continues a very important campaign to keep the venue hopping - during the aforementioned slow times of winter, too - and they have a gala fundraiser event coming up Sunday January 25th featuring trumpeter Sean Jones.. 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 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.
Pat Harris, Allan Harris and Roger Humphries at Jazz Congress at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Roger Humphries and Ron Carter at Jazz Congress at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Najee
