Max Leake
Pittsburgh’s RADical Days have grown! This year - more than 75 Free Events and Experiences with more than 65 organizations - Friday September 9 through Sunday, October 16th.
To celebrate, we revisit a show with one of our favorite Pittsburgh Neighbors - pianist Max Leake, recorded in front of a live audience at MCG Jazz in October, 2019 on this very special edition of the MCG Jazz Spotlight.
Early in October 2019, MCG Jazz celebrated RADical Days with a special live recording of the MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour with MCG Jazz Executive Producer Marty Ashby and recently inducted Pittsburgh Jazz Legend, pianist Max Leake.
Max Leake has had and continues to have a rich and varied career as a master pianist in many shades of the jazz palate. He also recently worked on the new Tom Hanks film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, sitting in the piano chair long occupied by the great Johnny Costa.
For this special program, Max talks with Marty Ashby about his many musical influences, and plays samples from a number of them, including flutist Hubert Laws, pianist Bob James, organist Jimmy Smith, pianist Bill Evans, saxophonist and Pittsburgh native Stanley Turrentine, the band Weather Report, pianists Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson and more.
Plus Max Leake plays a few numbers on the Steinway grand piano that was used for many years by pianist Johnny Costa for the iconic PBS show (made in Pittsburgh), Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
The MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour - Friday and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM!
