The Scene in Pittsburgh for August will likely have more than 200 jazz engagements as seen on Jazz Central.
One of the gigs coming to Pittsburgh the last week of August is a homecoming for guitarist Andy Bianco - who actually has three dates lined up in Pittsburgh at both Con Alma’s and at Kingfly Spirits - which will also bring bassist Nathan Peck, drummer Paul Wells and saxophonist Don Aliquo, Jr.
We visit with Andy and hear some of his music from his new release “NYC Stories,” as well as his homage to Jimmy Ponder and Pittsburgh roots with Joe Negri and more on Homefront.
An event just passed that’s a harbinger of good things to come was the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s first in-person performance with new Principal Pops Conductor, Byron Stripling. A noted member of the Count Basie Orchestra under the leadership of Frank Foster and Thad Jones, Stripling has a number of his own recordings, too - and you can expect to see him around town in the weeks and months ahead. Also on that date with the PSO and Stripling was bassist and vocalist Nicki Parrott - a native Australia who got her start at singing while sitting in with guitar and invention genius Les Paul for the last decade of his legendary jam sessions at the Iridium in New York.
There’s a lot to soak in for this summer of the jazz return in Pittsburgh!
Hear the Scene - Thursdays at 6pm, Sundays at 5pm, Friday and Saturdays at noon on WZUM.
Byron Stripling