This week on the Scene - we check in on Jazz / Poetry at City of Asylum / Alphabet City - now in year 19 - set for the month of May on the Northside.

Also - new music from Mike Melito (playing Con Alma, Ellsworth), Stephen Philip Harvey, a new Joe Locke tribute to Roy Hargrove and much more.

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

This MCG Jazz Spotlight Show is a tribute to jazz master, Ahmad Jamal, who was born in Pittsburgh on July 2, 1930, and transitioned on April 16, 2023.

Host Marty Ashby shares segments of a 2013 interview with Jamal at MCG Jazz that was featured in the documentary film, “We Knew What We Had: the Greatest Jazz Story Never Told.”

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

This week on the Scene - a visit with trombonist and seashell player Steve Turre - coming to the New Hazlett Theater for Kente Arts Saturday night; Also a re-visit with vocalist Alexis Cole who joins Monika Herzig for Both Sides of Joni Saturday night at MCG Jazz.

We also remember influential jazz pianist, innovator, composer and Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal who died Sunday, April 16.

Influential jazz pianist, innovator, composer and Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal died Sunday, April 16. He was 92. We at WZUM are saddened by the loss of this great original - a Westinghouse High School alum who started his career very early and left for Chicago in his early 20’s.

There have been many great articles and remembrances to share - and many good, personal stories for us to share.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month - and the MCG Jazz Spotlight shines on several American Jazz organizations who have been a major part of the resurgence of jazz across the country.

Hear sounds by the the SF Jazz Collective, Kenny Burrell, the Mack Avenue Superband, Dr John, Sean Jones, Paquito D’Rivera with the New York Voices, Sean Jones and more - as shepherded to our stages and airwaves by the likes of Jazz St. Louis, SF Jazz, the Detroit Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tri-C Jazz, MCGJazz and more.

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

Both Sides of Joni Mitchell with Monika Herzig - and Generations of Jazz with Steve Turre on the Scene

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

Marty Ashby welcomes Jim Cunningham, the voice of WQED, as guest hosts for this week's MCG Jazz Spotlight Show. Jim shares great stories from his life in music and plays us tunes from his personal collection including Art Blakey, Johnny Costa, Dave Budway and more.

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

Vocalist Aimée Allen grew up in the Pittsburgh region, but spends most of her time in New York City, and also quite a bit of time in France. She comes home to Pittsburgh now and again - including this Monday, April 10th for City of Asylum at Alphabet City on the Northside. We visit with Aimée about her journey, writing music, and about her new release “Love & the Catalyst,” and about her trio with François Moutin (bass) and Tony Romano (guitar)

We also play music from performers coming to town, soon - pianist Monika Herzig with her “Both Sides of Joni” (Mitchell) project to MCG Jazz April 22nd - with vocalist Alexis Cole. Also on April 22nd, trombonist Steve Turre and his “Generations” project to the New Hazlett Theater for Kente Arts.

Also, we celebrate the April 5th birthday of Pittsburgh’s Stanley Turrentine with a tune from him, along with fellow Pittsburgh natives Tommy Turrentine and Horace Parlan.

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