September 11th is a day of remembrance in the United States - and also a day of note specifically in Pittsburgh for a jazz legend who grew up here and has her final resting place not far from the site of a special event, Friday September 11 at 1pm.
There will be an honorary street renaming ceremony at the corner of East Liberty Blvd and Larimer Avenue - Mary Lou Williams Way. WZUM will be on hand for that - and we have some comments from her niece Bobbie Ferguson on Mary Lou’s Pittsburgh connections.
Also - we are a week away from the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival - including the two day free street festival along liberty avenue. Highlights included Sean Jones, Orrin Evans, Lalah Hathaway Terri Lyne Carrington, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, a homecoming for drummer Jae Sinnett, Nathan Paul and the Admirables and more.
A performer and also artist in residence this year is songwriter, vocalist and producer Eric Roberson. He’s had R&B hits, taught at Berklee and helped shape an “independent” approach for artists in the R&B field. We talked with him, and also share a track of his with saxophonist Najee.
The Scene - Thursdays at 6pm, Friday at Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM.
Eric Roberson