One of the adaptations in the Pittsburgh Jazz Scene over the past year of lockdown was the MCG Jazz Musicians Performance Fund. One of the great groups for that was led by guitarist Mark Strickland - with Tony DePaolis, bass; Thomas Wendt, drums.

Marty Ashby brings Mark Strickland back to the radio studio to talk about the set that was performed before a small and socially distanced crowd on October 28, 2020.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, and Saturday afternoon at 1.

We visit with a great jazz advocate and supporter of the Jazz Scene in Pittsburgh, Janis Burley Wilson, President and CEO of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

We look at the past present and future of jazz in our region, in person and more, including the success of the online version of the 2020 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, and the dates to reserve for 2021.

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

MCG Jazz’s Marty Ashby has uncovered some gems by the great trumpeter, fluegelhornist, composer and arranger Shorty Rogers. From Shorty Rogers & His Giants, to collaborations with André Previn, Chet Baker, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae and even Tarzan.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, and Saturday afternoon at 1.

On the Scene on WZUM - we salute Duke Ellington at the start of April, Jazz Appreciation Month. We’ll also hear sounds from the special 70th birthday party event held by President Nixon in 1969.

Celebrations of Duke by many notables, and also some Pittsburgh natives, too!

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

MCG Jazz’s Marty Ashby reaches into the rich trove of interviews from the stage of MCGJazz - featuring highlights from a visit with trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer and bandleader Chuck Mangione.

Music and memories with Chuck Mangione from the stage of MCG Jazz - and on the radio in the MCG Jazz Spotlight. The MCG Jazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, and Saturday afternoon at 1.

While celebrating Richie Cole’s life and career last Spring, we discovered some new places for records we have missed for many years - and now, they are found!

What’s most enjoyable (yet time consuming) about bringing vinyl records into the digital realm -unlike “ripping” a CD or uploading an audio file, you can only add the music one way - by playing the record. It was an immersive experience from which we are delighted to share the fruits of our labor.

Hear Eddie Jefferson, Bobby Enriquez, Richie Cole, George Auld, Woody Herman, Woody Shaw, Slide Hampton, Shirley Horn, Bruce Forman and more.

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

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, hosts Marty Ashby and Renee Govanucci play music from the top Jazz albums in the county according to JazzWeek.

Featured artists include Emmett Cohen, Dave Stryker, Veronica Swift, Jazz At Lincoln Center Septet, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Chick Corea.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight show - Friday and Sunday at 6pm and Saturday at 1pm on The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel WZUM.

Drummer George Heid III is a noted percussionist, composer and the leader of a much admired weekly jam session in the times just before the lockdown.

During the lockdown, George came up with WISDOM PATH, a new project that remotely recorded a great number of musical notables from all over the world, including the U.S., Australia and France. He and percussionist Steve Shehan produced this new CD, joined the talents of vibraphonist Warren Wolf, steel pan master Victor Provos and keyboard and accordion notable Joe “Sonny” Barbato.

Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on WZUM.