The Year 2019 in Pittsburgh Jazz was an amazing mix of reunions, celebrations, convergence and a substantial increase in quality and quantity of things to see and hear.
As week look back to 2019, we added up more than 2000 events happening in the region. Small clubs, big shows, chances to hear new up-and-coming artists as well as legendary performers.
This time out:
A visit with pianist Tom Roberts on his career in music, which had a start from hearing Scott Joplin on Pittsburgh radio, then to Leon Redbone, New Orleans, New York, movies, TV and more. Now, he’s back in Pittsburgh and exploring a stunning range of music from his home overlooking downtown Pittsburgh.
Tom Roberts
We look back at our tribute to Pittsburgh native and Duquesne University alum Sammy Nestico - along with a peek into an upcoming documentary about his stunning career.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Diane Estelle Vicari is completing a feature-length film Shadow Man. Diane graciously offered up stories from the film for us to share with Pittsburgh listeners. You can read more about the film project at the website. There’s also a Kickstarter page for the project with more details.
Pittsburgh’s Grover Mitchell was instrumental in starting Sammy’s long tenure with the Count Basie Orchestra, tales of the Stanley Theater, how Sammy came to start in music at Oliver High School, and his start at WCAE radio when he was just 17.
Sammy worked on scores for scores of popular TV shows from Charlies Angels to Mannix and Mission Impossible. His charts have been played by thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of jazz and concerts band students over the decades.
Also, we reflect on music from Charenee Wade, who brought music of Gil Scott-Heron to the Kelly Strayhorn Theater March 2.
And, last summer’s homecoming for actress and vocalist Tamara Tunie.
The Scene - Thursdays at 6pm, Friday at Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM.
Tamara Tunie