Catching up with friends - Gene Bertoncini on the Scene and on the Radio

Catching up with friends - Gene Bertoncini on the Scene and on the Radio

This week, the show is a reprise of the one from the spring - our NY interview with Gene Bertoncini from in January (before COVID, and a week that became warm and beautiful), Gene’s recordings, some things he and I recorded, together, and an update from Gene on New York in November.

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5pm on WZUM

And remember - call your friends and family. Don’t think about it. Call!

Unique Jazz Sounds from Iconic Jazz Labels on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

Unique Jazz Sounds from Iconic Jazz Labels on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

The Sounds of Jazz have been shaped by great artists, and also by the producers and record labels who preserved those sounds on to legendary recordings that spread those sounds to the world.

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, Marty Ashby and MCG Jazz production manager, David Sykut, discuss the sound and feel of a diverse collection of labels, including Blue Note, Verve, DMP, CTI, Telarc, Impulse, and ECM.

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

Autumnal Jazz in Distanced times - Thomas Wendt, John Shannon, Benny Benack III, the USAF Airmen of Note and Seth McFarlane

Autumnal Jazz in Distanced times - Thomas Wendt, John Shannon, Benny Benack III, the USAF Airmen of Note and Seth McFarlane

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

Jazz Around the Globe on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

Jazz Around the Globe on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

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.

Remembering Harold Betters on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

Remembering Harold Betters on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show

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.