We visit with guitarist Peter Bernstein - who will be a clinician and performer for the 56th PittJazz Seminar and concert November 2-7th. He’ll be guesting with guitarist Bobby Broom, Organist Ben Patterson, another notables like John Shannon and Yoko Suzuki on Saturday November 7th.
Bernstein also has a new release out with organist Larry Goldings (Rhombus) that continues their musical association that started 30 plus years ago, including a recording with Lou Donaldson. Peter says the organ came in to play for him and Larry Goldings at first because they got a gig at a New York Club without a piano.
We also reflect back on Jeff Goldblum’s symphonic return this week - and more of what’s ahead on the jazz scene in the days ahead
At MCG Jazz, shows with the Music of Chuck Mangione with trumpeter Rick Braun - October 17th; Gerald Albright - November 14 and John Scofield - November 20.
October 17th - Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Byham
October 17th - Pianist Rossano Sportiello and his all stars for Jazz at the Stifel in Wheeling
October 19th - BPEP Jazz at the Heinz History Center
October 19th and 20th - Chris Botti - City Winery (4 shows over two days)
October 20th - Jazz Beat Meets Present - MCG Jazz with Benny Benack Ii and III and more plus archive video from WQED from the 1960’s
November 2-7 - The 56th Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert, featuring Peter Bernstein and Bobby Broom
November 3-4 - Boney James at City Winery (4 shows over 2 days)
Find what’s on and when at Jazz Central at wzum.org
Peter Bernstein
Regarding Jeff Goldblum - reminding us of a bit of a Gay Talese article for Esquire Magazine “Frank Sinatra Has A Cold,” because Jeff did have a bit of a cold - but slightly raspy voice aside, he soldiered through in joyous fashion with a well constructed set of standards, some thing from “the Wizard of OZ” as well as the tune “Wonderful,” which he sang in the movie adaptation of “Wicked.” Jeff had been working with bassist and musical Director Alex Frank to be ready for his vocal debut in film and it was a nice addition.
The biggest change since the Spring of 2024 when Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra played for a Civic Light Opera benefit concert at the Benedum was the size of the band. As Jeff had explained to us, the name of the band was for a family friend back in Pittsburgh when the Playboy Jazz Festival wanted him to give the band a name - The “Mildred Snitzer Orchestra” is 6 players (including Jeff). Alex Frank - bass; Ryan Shaw - drums; Scott Gilman - tenor sax; Graham Dechter - guitar and Joe Baggs - organ. Added this year was noted New York drummer and conductor Bryan Carter and broadway star vocalist (and Carnegie Mellon Alum) Khailah Johnson.
So to the six in the band, a conductor and star vocalist, for this show, add in about 54 members of the Pittsburgh Symphony - essentially a big band to the right, horns, percussion and woodwinds to the back and nearly 30 strings up front. The sound was lush, shimmery and modern and could swing quite well as appropriate.
As we’ve mentioned, Jeff Goldblum is from Pittsburgh - and a song was assembled with an amazing amount of “Yinzer” shoutouts - plus a visit by retired Pittsburgh Defensive End Bret Keisel with a Goldblum festooned Steelers Jersey and an enthusiastic crows response.
The Scene - Thursdays at 6pm, Friday at Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM.
Jeff Goldblum at the Piano with his onetime piano teacher Frank Cunimondo, 2024, Pittsburgh
Jeff Goldblum with Bret Keisel and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra