Black History Month is a time to consider stories, connections and influences. As we look at jazz in Pittsburgh and beyond, we seem to be living in times of history-making for the future. The jazz scene in Pittsburgh in February and into the spring looks like an apt reflection of the significance of the now for the what is to come - including Vocalist Vanisha Gould at the August Wilson Center, Jim Snidero at Con Alma, South African pianist, bandleader and healer Nduduzo Makhathini for Kente Arts and more.

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM

There’s a tune that Dizzy Gillespie and John Lewis wrote in about 1948 called “Two Bass Hit.” Many folks have performed and recorded it over the years, including Pittsburgh Pianist Sonny Clark. We start the show off with that - but then add one more Bass - with three Pittsburgh Bass masters highlighted with new recording projects.

Richie Goods, Eli Naragon and Anton DeFade.

Plus, we celebrate the birthdays of two Pittsburgh Jazz Legends - Trumpeter Roy Eldridge and drummer, bandleader and educator Roger Humphries, Sr!

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM

Jim Cunningham, the voice of WQED, is guest hosts in this week's MCG Jazz Spotlight Show alongside Marty Ashby. They chat and play a raft of Jim's jazz favorites, including Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Wynton Marsalis, Weather Report and Charlie Parker.

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

Pianist Bill Charlap stops by for a visit with Marty Ashby in the MCG Jazz Spotlight.

Bill shares some one biggest influences and favorite artists - including Miles Davis, Weather Report, Wynton Marsalis, Earl Hines and Bill Charlap’s wife, pianist and composer Renee Rosnes.

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

Spring is not here. But it is coming - and there’s a great number of shows to look forward to on the Pittsburgh Scene in the days and weeks ahead. Depending on the Groundhog and February 2nd, we’ll see about how soon “Spring” is included in the Pittsburgh Jazz Forecast!

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM

"This is Triumphant Music" - Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Inaugural JazzFest Berlin, 1964.

Dr. King’s Essay on the importance of Jazz to humanity and the Civil Rights movement was not a speech, but it was written at the request of the festival organizers. The words are powerful .

An excerpt:

Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down.

And now, Jazz is exported to the world.

The Rhythm Section's singers. Guests hosts - drummer Thomas Wendt and bassist Tony DePaolis join Marty Ashby to discuss their favorite jazz vocalists on this week's MCG Jazz Spotlight Show.

The three of them dig deep into the likes of Jo Stafford, Sandy Staley & Flo Cassinelli, Roberta Peck, Roberta Flack with Quincy Jones and more.

Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.

There are a lot of new jazz releases out - and many with a Pittsburgh connection - we play a few of them this time around on the SCENE

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM