Jazz Legends Event & Fallingwater 90th Celebration with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra
MCG Jazz Season 40 - MCG Jazz, Manchester
Saturday, September 26, 2026. 7:30 PM
This very special season kick-off event combines three connected occasions to celebrate. Since 2008, MCG Jazz has honored a class of Pittsburgh Jazz Legends every few years, recognizing hometown jazz masters that have fundamentally stayed in Pittsburgh and kept the scene vibrant and thriving.
This years honorees will be:
Tubby Daniels, Eric DeFade, Curtis Johnson, Pamela Johnson, and Tim Stevens
These musicians not only have robust performance experience but have also mentored generations of jazz musicians both on and off the bandstand. The Pittsburgh Jazz Legends Ceremony celebrates their achievements, their music, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Community as a whole.
The event will celebrate two anniversaries - MCG Jazz’s 40th and the 90th Anniversary of Fallingwater. (The MCG Building facility was designed by Tasso Katseles who was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright). The night will honor these two anniversaries with a performance of Andy Farbers’s “Usonian Structures” and a world premiere of Mike Tomaro’s “Fallingwater” with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. A post-concert party with all the Jazz Legends and a jam session will follow
Season 40 features the Count Basie Orchestra with Nnenna Freelon; Rick Braun; Gerald Albright; John Scofield; Stella Cole; The Spanish Harlem Orchestra; José James with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra; Billy Childs; Artist-in-Residence Benny Benack III; Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets; Arturo Sandoval; and the Django Festival All-Stars with Anat Cohen
2026-2027 Season Schedule:
The Count Basie Orchestra with Nnenna Freelon
Saturday, October 3, 2026
6 & 8:30 PM
The Count Basie Orchestra, a living testament to Basie's enduring influence, will be joined by seven-time GRAMMY® Award nominee Nnenna Freelon for this extraordinary performance.
Rick Braun
Rick Braun plays Chuck Mangione
Saturday, October 24, 2026
6 & 8:30 PM
Rick Braun pours his creative soul into his first-ever tribute project dedicated to the music and memory of the legendary Chuck Mangione.
Gerald Albright
Gerald Albright
Saturday, November 14, 2026
6 & 8:30 PM
Multi-GRAMMY® nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright returns to the MCG Jazz stage with his 24th career project Hot Chocolate, "a project designed for musicality, fun, unique grooves, and ingredients for the soul!"
John Scofield
John Scofield's "Electrospective"
featuring Oteil Burbridge, Larry Goldings & Adam Deitch
Friday, November 20, 2026
7 & 9:30 PM
Scofield and his stellar band of colleagues look back at many of his now classic fusion groove compositions through a new lens.
Stella Cole
Stella Cole “Christmas Dreaming”
Saturday, December 5, 2026
6 & 8:30 PM
With a voice that bridges generations, powerhouse vocalist Stella Cole celebrates the holiday season this December with a fresh interpretation of classic repertoire.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra - Salsa Navidad
Spanish Harlem Orchestra - Salsa Navidad
Saturday, December 19, 2026
6 & 8:30 PM
Spanish Harlem Orchestra celebrates their 25th anniversary with a vibrant new project that captures the spirit of the holidays through authentic Puerto Rican rhythms.
José James
José James Sings Sinatra
with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, January 30, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
Celebrated jazz vocalist José James explores the legacy of one of the greatest American voices of all time alongside the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.
Billy Childs
Billy Childs 70th Birthday Band
with Sean Jones, Steve Wilson, Matt Penman and Ari Hoenig
Saturday, March 6, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
One of the foremost American composers of his era, pianist Billy Childs celebrates his 70th birthday with an all-star band.
Benny Benack III
Artist-in-Residence Benny Benack III
“The Magic of Manhattan”
Saturday, March 20, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
Benack hosts an elegant Jazz-inspired affair highlighting songs and artists along the way that made New York City simply the place to be.
Kurt Elling and Yellowjackets
Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets Celebrate Weather Report
Saturday, April 10, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
The renowned Yellowjackets and one-of-a-kind vocalist Kurt Elling honor one of jazz history’s most influential ensembles.
Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval
Saturday, April 24, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
Ten-time GRAMMY® winner and Dizzy Gillespie protégé Arturo Sandoval is considered the world’s foremost guardian of Afro-Cuban jazz trumpet and flugelhorn and one of the most brilliant and multifaceted musicians of our time.
Django Festival All-Stars with Anat Cohen
Django Festival All-Stars with Anat Cohen
Saturday, May 15, 2027
6 & 8:30 PM
The Django Festival Allstars bring the music of 20s and 30s Paris to the present day, joining forces with esteemed clarinetist Anat Cohen to carry forward the Gypsy jazz tradition.