The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is a “go” for September 17-19 in Pittsburgh - with some changes, as Janis Burley Wilson hinted at when we last chatted with her in April.

September is keeping the pace of live jazz going in Pittsburgh - with more clubs and venues sharing live performances - and big events like the just finished Monroeville Jazz Festival, Roger Humphries’ Boat Ride, the “Turn on the Lights” events in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend.

The Pittsburgh international Jazz Festival 2021 is September 17-19. Then, a day later - BPEP Jazz at the Heinz History Center, September 20th. Also in September - Jazz Poetry Month 2021 which gears up locally and internationally at Alphabet City, and the return of a full season at MCG Jazz, starting with the Yellowjackets, September 24th and 25th.

200 plus events for September - just like in July and August. But there have been changes and adaptations to with that careful enthusiasm - and it means you should keep a mask in your pocket or purse, and in some venues, be prepared to share your affirmative status of vaccination.

Not all cities have made such a bold return. Detroit shifted their festival last weekend to only online. But Pittsburgh did that last year - this year, the hope was to make live and in-person safe and possible.

The 11th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival presented by Citizens Bank is a project of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Among the changes, there’ll be one ticketed indoor concert with vocalist Chaka Kahn at the Benedum Center on September 17, 2021 at 8pm.

Events for the 18th and 19th of September will move to the Highmark Stadium located in Station Square, 510 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 with festival passes for admittance.

The lineup for the mainstage is below. Club events can be found at Jazz Central.

The Scene - Thursday at 6pm, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5.