We visit with pianist / composer Jesse Fischer - bringing his group from New York to Con Alma, Downtown as a part of a tour supported by an initiative from South Arts. Fischer has performed with many notables in the jazz, pop, and world music scenes, including Mino Cinélu, Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Becca Stevens, Grace Kelly and Lakecia Benjamin. His new project, “Resilience,” includes the talent of Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Becca Stevens and Gregoire Marét.

We play some of Jessse’s Music and talk about how it is to be touring again. He and his quartet play at Con Alma, Downtown - Thursday night 6-10.

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.

This is the week after a phenomenal week for jazz in Pittsburgh - from Monday’s legion of Pittsburgh performers for BPEP Jazz at the Heinz History Center to the weekend of headliners at the Pittsburgh international Jazz Festival 2021

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

Gene Ludwig is remembered in this week’s MCG Jazz Spotlight Show on WZUM.

Guided by a 1998 MCG Jazz Archives Interview conducted by Dwayne Dolphin, Gene Ludwig shares stories, from hearing Jimmy Smith for the first time, to the time he flipped a coin to decide whether or not to become a musician full-time.

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

The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is this weekend in Pittsburgh, including a homecoming for famed drummer, Jeff “Tain” Watts. Jeff has firm roots in Pittsburgh and is keen to come back home to present a new commission, “Suite Pittsburgh,” Sunday afternoon at 2:45 at the Highmark Stadium on the South Side.

The band will included another Pittsburgh native, pianist David Budway, plus saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, guitarist Paul Boellenback and bassist Robert Hurst.

We talked with Jeff “Tain” Watts this week. Hear some great stories and music on the Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5.

Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci of MCG Jazz consider the Big Band and other very large ensembles.

From 17 different large group recordings, we go from the New York Voices and the Count Basie Orchestra, to the recent release, “Diva and the Boys.” Other large slices on the menu include the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, and a grammy winner with Nancy Wilson.

We go “large” in the MCG Jazz Spotlight on WZUM - Friday and Sunday nights at 6, Saturday afternoons at 1.

The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival - a visit with Janis Burley Wilson

We also have latest details on the lineup for the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, September 17-19.

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

This week on the MCG Jazz Spotlight Show, Bill Strickland and Marty Ashby share stories of MCG Jazz - just as the 35th season is about to start,

Topics include artists who have left a permanent impact on MCG, renovations of the concert hall, and how today's musicians carry the tradition forward.

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