Pittsburgh has had a nice turn of visitors coming to town in the jazz scene as winter turns to spring - and we’ve also seen a great blooming of artists from here with new recordings making a splash at home and away.

This time, we spend time listening to a good sampling

Byron Stripling, Principal Pops Conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony, guest hosts along with Marty Ashby.

Byron and Marty talk all things Jobim as the two organizations come together to present the “Jobim with Stings” concert on March 19.

We have an extended visit with Charles McPherson, stories about his early years in Detroit, his early mentorship by pianist Barry Harris, who lived just down the street and so much more.

Music and stories with Charles McPherson this week on The Scene. Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5pm on the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel.

Pittsburgh Jazz leader Dr. Nelson E. Harrison is our guest host for the MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour

Marty Ashby of MCG Jazz is joined by Dr. Nelson Harrison, a musician, composer and avid jazz historian. Nelson Harrison and Marty Ashby share some great music and great stories of jazz, especially from a Pittsburgh perspective.

Kate Borger will be presenting music made by women in jazz for the entire Women’s History Month of March. This week will feature music from Pittsburgh legends: Mary Lou Williams, Dakota Staton, Maxine Sullivan, and more!!

The Playlist is here!

1550 AM • 88.1 FM • 101.1 FM

Jazz roars in for March - Guitarist Ron Jackson, Alto master Charles McPherson and a Soupy Sales Connection, plus Howie Alexander and Deanna Witkowski on the Scene

The SCENE on WZUM - Thursday at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel.

Marty Ashby and composer/pianist Theron Brown talk about the upcoming concert March 2nd at MCG Jazz, leading to the Pittsburgh premiere of the jazz-inspired play Paradise Blue at City Theatre, plus the Detroit Pittsburgh Jazz Connection.

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

Reggie Watkins, the Humphries Brothers, Ahmad Jamal, Ray Crawford, Maxine Sullivan, and Chu Berry, Roy Eldridge and a Wheeling / Pittsburgh Jazz Connection, too.

As we near the end of February and Black History Month, the history of jazz in the Pittsburgh Region looms large as an important part of the history to know and learn from.

Reggie Watkins shares stories about Wheeling’s Chu Berry (who spent a lot of time with Pittsburgh’s Roy Eldridge). Also music from uncles of drumming great Roger Humphries - trumpeter Frank and saxophonist Hildred Humphries (who ALSO spent a lot of time with Roy Eldridge!)

And music from a Pittsburgh vocalist who had a huge hit with a Scottish tune in swing style in 1937 - Maxine Sullivan, and revolutionary sounds from the early 1950’s from pianist Ahmad Jamal.

Pittsburgh Jazz history and black music history - entwine in the rich tapestry of a music we call jazz.

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