This weekend on the MCG Spotlight Show, host Marty Ashby turns the page to an exciting milestone—our 40th Anniversary Season.
Previewing the opening stretch of Season 40, with music from the artists who will take the stage from September through December. It’s a lineup that reflects both where MCG Jazz has been and where it’s headed—featuring standout voices, returning favorites, and the kind of artistry that has defined four decades of world-class programming.
The season—and this show—kicks off by celebrating a new class of Pittsburgh Jazz Legends, the 40th anniversary of MCG Jazz, and the 90th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, with “Pipe and Slippers” from Andy Farber’s Usonian Structures, recorded with Jazz at Lincoln Center.
You’ll also hear the unmistakable sound of the Count Basie Orchestra, who made the very first commercial release on the MCG Jazz label, alongside the warm brass and melodic lift of Rick Braun from his new tribute to Chuck Mangione with “Land of Make Believe.” MCG favorite Gerald Albright returns with "Hot Chocolate," bringing his signature blend of soulful phrasing, smooth groove, and R&B-infused jazz.
We’ll also celebrate the upcoming Electrospective tour of legendary guitarist John Scofield by revisiting his Blue Matter recording. We’ll spotlight rising star Stella Cole and the vibrant energy of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, both featured in this season’s holiday performances, capturing the range and rhythm of this milestone season.
Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday at 1 on WZUM
