Pittsburgh native and Duquesne University alum Sammy Nestico died January 17th, 2021, just weeks shy of his 97th birthday in February. Sammy’s compositions and arrangements are foundational to the sounds of jazz and big bands, today. In words and music, we celebrate a life well lived, with Pittsburgh as a core part of it.

The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Sundays at 4pm (special time), Friday and Saturday at noon on WZUM.

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, hosts Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci celebrate the the birthdays and music of many jazz notables.

Featuring music from artists from Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli to Lee Ritenour, plus Max Roach, JJ Johnson, Gary Burton, Milt Jackson, Joe Pass, Roy Eldridge, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more.

You bring the candles and cake, we’ll handle the music on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show Birthday party for January. Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.

Jazz Endures. We check in John Shannon at Con Alma, which has returned to takeaway food, live jazz and limited reservation-only dine-in seating. We’ll hear the latest of what’s in store - including special Saturday tributes to jazz giants, and a combination of live and livestream jazz to work through the winter months.

We also visit with pianist, composer and author Deanna Witkowski, who has gone from admiring Pittsburgh’s jazz scene to getting deep into it by moving here! We also play a lot of music - especially from Mary Lou.

Thursday night at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday night at 5 on WZUM

Pittsburgh native and legendary jazz composer and arranger Sammy Nestico has died in southern California, just shy of his 97th birthday. WZUM sends our love and condolences to his wife Shirley, the rest of his family and many friends and fans. Sammy’s compositions and arrangements are foundational to the sounds of jazz and big bands, today.

Sunday evening, we remember the recently passed Tony Mowod, who died January 6 at the age of 85, plus remembering more than 50 jazz artists who left us during 2020.

Music and Memories, Sunday from 5-8pm on WZUM

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight, Remembering the life and career of jazz radio icon Tony Mowod.

The program includes excerpts from a 1999 interview of Tony by bassist Dwayne Dolphin. Plus, a never-before broadcast of Tony introducing a 10th Anniversary MCGJazz concert with Roger Humphries, Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Stanley Turrentine and Dr. Billy Taylor. Also, stories and remembrance from Bill Strickland. Frank Cunimondo, Sean Jones, David Budway, Paul Thompson, Mike Tomaro, Dr. Nelson Harrison, Michele Bensen, Joe Negri, and hosts Renée Govanucci and Marty Ashby. And, of course, music!

Friday and Sunday Night at 6 - and Saturday at 1pm on WZUM, the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel

The year 2020 has transitioned to 2021, and many talented artists in the jazz community left our midst in that year gone by.

This time on the program, we play just a few of those to remember - and share, inks, and more about them.

Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday night at 5 on WZUM

Guest host Thomas Wendt joins Marty Ashby – and brings along some famous drummer friends Jeff Hamilton, Lewis Nash and Kenny Washington – to reflect on the innovations and influence of Pittsburgh own Kenny Clarke.

Friday and Sunday Night at 6 - and Saturday at 2pm on WZUM, the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel!