It is that “year end” time to look at what happened over the past months that made up 2021 - and, really, it is pretty hard to describe - as the COVID-19 times have blended the past two years together in some rather amorphous ways.
Jazz News - In February, 2021, the Announcement of Con Alma, Downtown - went from a lease agreement to a buildout and launch - still during pandemic protocols.
A lot of musical homecomings - and new music and more. So much more, in fact, that this hour will only scratch the surface!
Pittsburgh was one of the first cities in the US to bring jazz “back,” in inside/outside venues like the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University in the black box theater that opened up to the patio - and nearly perfect weather to thread that protocol needle.
The Pitt Jazz Seminar stayed online in 2020, and delayed in 2021 - but will return in January 2022 for a hybrid campus/community in-person and online event as a tribute to Erroll Garner January 24-29.
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival moved to the Highmark Stadium on the Southside in September for a triumphant two day event, after a launch with Chaka Khan at the Benedum.
Jazz Poetry Month continued, with safety protocols in 2021.
BPEP Jazz made an in-person return to the Heinz History Center - the crowd was large, appreciative and masked, and the music from scores of Pittsburgh jazz notables was - notable!
And, live, in Person Jazz Returned to MCG Jazz in the fall, after 18 months of creative online events.
Coming Back to town -
Pianist Harry Cardillo; Guitarists Ron Affif and Andy Bianco. Drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, pianist David Budway and bassist Richie Goods at the Pittsburgh International Jazz festival. Vocalist Aimée Allen at Alphabet City, and Allan Harris for several visits, including the Inside-Outside Series, at Con Alma and Point Breezeway.
New to Pittsburgh, the new principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, conductor, trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling - with a first “live” show from the PSO at Hartwood Acres in the summer.
October became a hugely busy and exciting month - the return of Pittsburgh JazzLive events with a much delayed performance by vocalist Kurt Elling (with guitarist Charlie Hunter) at the Greer Cabaret in the Cultural District - which was ALSO a night for a tribute to Dr. Harry Clark with the BNY Mellon JazzLive Legacy Award - which he was SUPPOSED to receive more than a year ago - and everyone kept the secret until October 26, 2021!
Pianist Deanna Witkowski assembled an ambitious and well attended performance of Mary Lou Williams Mass for Peace in October.
Also in October, news of a return to the old James Street property on the north side, with a launch projected for 2022.
All in all, it was a very busy year of enthusiasm and improvisation - by the performers, presenters and audiences. 2022 may continue that trend, and bring even more attention to the great jazz scene of Pittsburgh.
The Scene - Thursdays at 6pm, Friday at Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 5pm on WZUM.
Aimee, Josh and John, Con Alma
Con Alma Downtown, construction phase
Terri Bell and Dr. Roger Humphries pay tribute to Dr. Harry Clark
