View rare footage from WQED TV’s Jazz Beat with live performances by Pittsburgh jazz legends and the next generation of Pittsburgh greats.

Live performance by Benny Benack II and Bennie Benack III, plus Jeff Bush, Bill Bonidie, Max Leake, Roger Humphries and Paul Thompson

Hosted by Classical WQED’s Jim Cunningham, the evening weaves together rare footage from WQED’s Jazz Beat with live performances by Pittsburgh jazz legends and the next generation of Pittsburgh greats. WQED produced Jazz Beat from 1964-1966 and showcased live performances by leading local and national jazz artists. 

See Jazz Beat performances by Joe Negri, Harold Betters, and Benny Benack Sr. – then watch that legacy come to life as Benny Benack II and Benny Benack III, MCG Jazz 2026/27 Artist-in-Residence, take the stage together. 

Rounding out the evening are performances by Jeff Bush, Bill Bonidie, Max Leake, Roger Humphries, and Paul Thompson, along with a conversation between Jim Cunningham and original Jazz Beat host, WZUM’s Bill Hillgrove.