2023 has been one of the busiest years for new jazz recordings we can recall, and many have a Pittsburgh flair.

There’s also a great list of jazz performances in store, most with at least a hint of tinsel and holly in the next few weeks.

The Scene - Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon.

Marty Ashby and Renee Govanucci play contemporary Holiday music that departs from some of the traditional Christmas songs you hear year after year.

New compositions by Ann Hampton Callaway, Harry Connick Jr., Jamie Cullum, Bill Evans and even Benny Benack III performed by Barbra Streisand, Brett Eldredge, Samara Joy and Idina Menzel with Ariana Grande.

The MCG Jazz Spotlight show airs on Friday and Sunday at 6:00pm and Saturday at 1:00pm on The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel WZUM, or online at WZUM.org.

Holiday Jazz and Special Events on the Scene.

Sounds from Lakecia Benjamin, Lisa Ferarro, Ann Hampton Calloway, New York Voices, Bethany James, Etta Cox, Benny Benack III, and a visit to some more sounds from Aaron Diehl’s new chamber music release of Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite.

The Scene - Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon.

Greetings and thanks from the Pittsburgh Jazz Family in the MCGJazz Spotlight. Join us for messages of gratitude and happy holidays from Pittsburgh jazz musicians. Plus, music by many Pittsburgh favorites, including Frank Cunimondo, Hugo Cruz, Jared Sims, Don Aliquo Sr. and Jr. and Tania Grubbs and Jeff Grubbs.

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

an extended chat with Aaron Diehl about Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite - and the new chamber music version of this work with The Knights.

We talked with Aaron about his friendship with Mary Lou Williams’ close friend and Manager, Father Peter O’Brien. We also talk about the chamber music ensemble “The Knights,” who took on the challenges of bringing Mary Lou’s 1940’s conception for the Zodiac Suite to this modern recording, today.

The Scene - Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon.

The latest in new jazz releases out being aired across the nation are highlighted in this week’s MCG Jazz Spotlight - including many connections with Pittsburgh and MCG Jazz.

Join Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci for sounds from the Count Basie Orchestra, Ivan Lins, Ann Hampton Calloway and the Diva Jazz Orchestra. Also, local artists going national like Alton Merrell, Jason Kush and Mike Tomaro.

Friday and Sunday nights at 6, Saturday afternoons at 1 on WZUM.

Kate Borger celebrates two November birthday celebrants who had major impact on American music in the 20th Century - Hoagy Carmichael (born November 22, 1899) and Johnny Mercer (November 18, 1908)

They wrote songs that are iconic in the American popular songbook. They even wrote more than a dozen tunes together!

Friday morning at 10 and Saturday from 11 a.m. until noon. 101.1 FM or wzum.org or talk to your smart speaker and ask her to "Play WZUM!”

Again, we draw inspiration from the activity in the Pittsburgh jazz scene from Jazz Central — There is so much to celebrate about jazz and jazz in Pittsburgh. We’ll hear it for and hear it from a lot of talented women in the mix, on the Scene.

The Scene - Thursday at 6, Sunday at 5, Friday and Saturday at noon.