WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh

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Following in the steps of giants and friends - the MCG Jazz Spotlight Hour - Friday & Sunday nights at 6

Billy Taylor and Marty Ashby

Friday night and Sunday night at 6 on WZUM, Marty Ashby, VP & Executive Producer of MCG Jazz and Renée J. Govanucci, Director, MCG Jazz, share the music of some of their biggest influences in jazz and in presenting jazz - with stories that go along with more than 30 years of MCG Jazz.

One of the biggest influences for Marty Ashby and for many in jazz is Dr. Billy Taylor. We’ll hear Dr. Taylor as recorded at MCG Jazz with Gerry Mulligan. Also, sounds from Cannonball Adderley with Nancy Wilson, Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Quincy Jones, Ivan Lins, and Ray Brown.


Plus some great stories about the bass player and personal manager for many jazz greats - like Nancy Wilson, George Shearing, Herbie Hancock, Wes Montgomery, Shirley Horn and many more. His name is John Levy, and he died 6 years ago at the age of 99. One of the biggest influences in jazz whom you may never have known about!

Friday night and Sunday night at 6 on WZUM, the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel!

Ray Brown and Marty Ashby

Marty Ashby and John Levy

Paquito D’Rivera, Marty Ashby

Marty Ashby and Renée Govanucci

Billy Taylor in New York, credit William P. Gottlieb collection at the Library of Congress.