The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is coming, and an expanding array of performances are tied in with the event, along with the return to “Free and In the Streets” September 21-22. We visit with Alan Gorrie, cofounder of the Average White Band, making Pittsburgh an important stop on their last-ever tour on Sunday the 22nd. Plus, music from Theron Brown, the John Shannon Organ Trio, Veronica Swift, Endea Owens and the closing act for the PIJF, vocalist Marsha Ambrosius.

People on and upcoming on The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5.

This week on Rhythm-a-ning: “Just add lyrics!” Classic jazz tunes and their vocal versions, including lyrics and vocalese from Eddie Jefferson, Samara Joy, Dakota Staton, Allan Harris and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

Join Kate Borger Friday at 10 am and Saturday at 11 am on WZUM

This week’s MCG Jazz Spotlight Show is a celebration of the late guitarist, Russell Malone. While we are saddened by the sudden loss of our friend, we honor his music, legacy, and memories he has left behind.

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

Kate Borger brings an end of August mix from vintage sounds by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to a recent release by pianist Luke Carlos O’Rielly. Add in sounds in between from Dexter Gordon, Billie Holiday, Samara Joy and much more.

Friday morning at 10, Saturday morning at 11, on WZUM.

We share music from Monroeville Jazz Festival featured performers, plus music from other players featured in Pittsburgh in days and weeks to come - pianist Frank Cunimondo, saxophonist Kenny Blake, and Anton DeFade.

We’ll also share music from guitarist Russell Malone who has died of an apparent heart attack August 23 while on tour in Japan. He was 60.

Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5.

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.

Kate Borger and her annual celebration of the music and the birthday of the great Charlie Parker, born August 29th, 1920.

Hear sounds from Charles “Yardbird” Parker and his incredible contributions to music - and an emphasis on singers influenced by Parker. Friday morning at 10, Saturday morning at 11, on WZUM.

We take a look ahead to things coming up on the next couple of weeks - gleaned from the Jazz Central Calendar - and there’s much more to find in this waning jazz days of summer.

We’ll also take a look back to June, around the start of Summer - when the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the City of Duquesne and many other community members shared in the unveiling of a marker to commemorate the home of the father of modern jazz piano, Duquesne Native Earl “Fatha” Hines. June 18, 2024 - and we wanted to share the moment one more time.

Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5.