We continue to celebrate Black History Month with a focus on Pittsburgh Jazz – especially on drummer, bandleader and educator Roger Humphries. We will also hear from one of Roger’s students – drummer Thomas Wendt. Thomas has a new audio project from LIGHTHOUSE ARTS on jazz great, drummer Max Roach (also, one of Roger Humphries’ mentors!).

Then, we chat with Lighthouse Arts Co-president Harry Clark about Lighthouse Arts and the importance of listening. Finally, a musical tribute to vocalist and bandleader and musical force of nature, Jimmy Sapienza, who passed away last week at the age of 71.

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

We are sorry to report that vocalist and bandleader Jimmy Sapienza has died at the age of 71.

From the notice from the Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home, Jimmy passed on Saturday, February 6, 2021 after a long, courageous battle with kidney disease. Husband of Paula (Bruecken) Sapienza for 25 years, he leaves behind many family members, friends and fans.

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, hosts Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci celebrate Black History Month with a focus on Pittsburgh Jazz artists who contributed greatly to the very course of jazz in America and the world.

Out of the many legends to choose from, the show features nine musicians who were spotlighted in the Pittsburgh jazz documentary film, “We Knew What We Had” including Billy Eckstine, Erroll Garner, Ray Brown, Stanley Turrentine, Ahmad Jamal, George Benson and Roger Humphries and more. - Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.

Earl Hines, Lois Deppe and a Pittsburgh Focus for Black History

This time on the Scene, we focus on the major jazz figure of Earl “Fatha” Hines. Called “Fatha” because he was, early in his career, considered the father of what became jazz piano.

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 offer the debut of a new MCGJazz release - “Bernstein Reimagined” by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

Joining Marty Ashby will be Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra’s executive director, Ken Kimery and artistic director Charlie Young to discuss the creation of the album. Also joining in will be Flavio Chamis to discuss his personal connection to the maestro. Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.

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