This week, we speak with two members of the jazz scene on how they have been working through the challenges - and working with others in the midst of a very different landscape from last year - Guitarist and partner in the club Con Alma, John Shannon, and drummer and jazz advocate Thomas Wendt. We’ll also hear some music from Benny Benack III who will be back in Pittsburgh this weekend for live and online performances.

Plus, a new release from US Air Force Airmen of Note, and a big band date from vocalist, actor, and TV/Film producer Seth McFarlane. Thursday at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5pm

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Radio Hour, we hear sound for the spread of jazz around the globe.

Marty Ashby and MCG Jazz staff member, Natalie Larsen share music from incredible jazz artists from Cuba, Canada, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, France and more. Original works and reworking of standards with the likes of Avishai Cohen, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Django Reinhardt, Michal Urbaniak, Abdullah Ibrahim, Machito and others who have mixed their native culture’s musical traditions with jazz to create something new and further the evolution of jazz.

Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1.

Jazz makes connections. Hear some of them on the Scene on WZUM.

This time on the program, we connect some dots between Horace Sliver, Roger Humphries, trumpeter Louis Smith, Kenny Burrell, Art Blakey, Andy Warhol - and more.

Thursday at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5pm

New Jazz Finds on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show. Featured artists include, Gregory Porter, the Christian McBride Big Band, Artemis, Conrad Herwig, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and a previously unreleased album by Art Blakey.

Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1.

We visit with Nicole Mitchell of Pitt Jazz about the upcoming 50th Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert. We hear music from Geri Allen, Nathan Davis, Frank Cunimondo, and a newly released Keith Jarrett solo concert from 2016, Budapest.

The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM, Friday and Saturday at noon.

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, we celebrate the life and career of Harold Betters.

We feature his music and stories, and also hear from many musicians who worked with Harold over the more than five decades of his career, plus special guests like Jay Ashby, Jeff Bush, Etta Cox, Al Dowe, Joe Dallas, Emmett Goods, Nelson Harrison, Reggie Watkins, & more. Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1.

This week on “The Scene,” a salute to Pittsburgh native and legendary jazz composer and arranger Sammy Nestico.

The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM, Friday and Saturday at noon.

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced the honorees for the Jazz Masters of 2021. The NEA Jazz Masters award is the highest honor that the United States gives to jazz artists.

The four honorees for 2021 are: Terri Lyne Carrington; Henry Threadgill; Phil Schapp; and Albert “Tootie” Heath.