Drummer, producer and sonic collagist Makaya McCraven has created a jazz-informed musical concept which takes technology and improvisation and creates something altogether new. Hear him Thursday night, June 20 at the August Wilson Center

Pittsburgh saxophonist, composer, arranger, educator, and MCG Jazz Legend Jim Guerra is our guest host for the Spotlight Hour Friday night and Sunday night at 6.

Thursday night at 6, repeated Sunday at 5 on “THE SCENE” on WZUM - it’s all about the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

We talk with regular Pittsburgh visitor and organist Joey DeFrancesco, percussionist Makaya McCraven, drummer Roger Humphries and also, a fascinating chat with three of the women behind “Black Women Rock,” who owe much of their inspiration to Pittsburgh local Betty Davis.

93 Years Young, our favorite Handyman and world-renowned guitarist, Joe Negri!

Friday night and Sunday night at 6 on WZUM, Marty Ashby, VP & Executive Producer of MCG Jazz and Renée J. Govanucci, Director, MCG Jazz, savor sounds of season 32, which had a first-time appearance by Bobby McFerrin, a return from Kurt Elling and some amazing musical pairings, including Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez.

Jazz is Busting out all Over in June - Pittsburgh - The Scene, Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5

We go to Jazz Central for the lead on this edition - 210 plus gigs SO FAR - and we keep entering the details as fast as we can.

Friday night and Sunday night at 6 on WZUM, Marty Ashby, VP & Executive Producer of MCG Jazz and Renée J. Govanucci, Director, MCG Jazz, share the music of some of their biggest influences in jazz and in presenting jazz - with stories that go along with more than 30 years of MCG Jazz.
Plus some great stories about the bass player and personal manager for many jazz greats - John Levy, one of the biggest influences in jazz whom you may never have known about!

Kenny Garrett talks about his sudden leap from graduating high School in Detroit to years on the road with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and a jazz journey that took him to years with Miles Davis, bands and projects with Pat Metheny, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard and much more.

We also talk to Dr. Harry Clark, jazz and education leader, about Lighthouse Arts.

And we play music, too!