Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci play new music that is getting a lot of play in Pittsburgh and across the country.

Hear new sounds from Jon Batiste, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cory Weeds, Bill Cunliffe, Eric Reed, and Jane Monhiet, plus new national released with Pittsburgh connections from Hendrik Meurkens, Tony Monaco and Jared Sims.

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

Jazz has gone behind masks and especially - behind screens - going largely online in the past year.

As more and more of us are getting vaccinated and looking to venture out for in-person meeting, and eventually, events, this spring seems to be the booming culmination of many of the socially distant creative forces.

Music and stories and screens on the Scene - Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon.

Marty Ashby, and special guest Benny Benack III get together to share music and stories as the music scene in Pittsburgh, New York and worldwide looks to open the doors again. Benny is a native of Pittsburgh who has been making a name for himself and his music in New York, Europe and beyond, but during the time of lockdown, there’s been a new kind of improvisation to behold.

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

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

An appreciation of Jazz, past, present and future, with Bill Cunliffe, Quincy Jones, plus the new release from the Afro Yaqui Music Collective, Maroon Futures.

Plus, a musical gem from Mary Lou Williams from the 1950’s featuring her with Mundell Lowe and Idrees Suliman.

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

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.