Appreciating Jazz in April under the MCG Jazz Spotlight

Marty Ashby and Renee Govanucci look back on Jazz Appreciation Month highlights performed and recorded at MCG Jazz - all in the month of April. Spyro Gyra, Tom Scott, Ann Hampton Callaway, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, Herbie Mann, Phil Woods and more!

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

International Jazz and Poetry on the Northside, New Sounds from Sinnett, Stephen Philip Harvey, Mike Melito and more on The SCENE

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

Remembering Ahmad Jamal in the MCG Jazz Spotlight

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.

Steve Turre on Generations; Alexis Cole with Joni and Monika Herzig; Ahmad Jamal - and his influence on jazz

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.

Ahmad Jamal - and his influence on jazz

Ahmad Jamal - and his influence on jazz

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.

A Jazz Appreciation Month Salute in the MCGJazz Spotlight

A Jazz Appreciation Month Salute in the MCGJazz Spotlight

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.