More Autumn highlights for jazz in Pittsburgh continue to build as the leaves start to fall.
One will be a Friday trip to Philadelphia for drummer bandleader, educator and philanthropist Roger Humphries - who will formally receive the 2022 Living Legacy Jazz Award, presented by PECO in association with Mid Atlantic Arts.
It is a big deal. Previous Living Legacy Jazz Award winners include Amina Claudine Myers, Charles Tolliver, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Odean Pope, Ron Carter, Gary Bartz, Joanne Brackeen, Nathan Davis, Muhal Richard Abrams, Phil Woods, Roy Haynes, Dr. Frank Foster, Kenny Barron, Benny Golson, Oliver Lake, Rufus Reid, Randy Weston, Keter Betts, Jimmy Heath, Joe Kennedy, Jr., Shirley Scott, Reggie Workman, Dr. Donald Byrd, Larry Ridley, Barry Harris, Robert “Boysie” Lowery, and Clark Terry. A Millennium Award was conferred on Dr. Billy Taylor in 2000.
Other big deals coming up - The 52nd annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concerts, Oakland - Oct. 31 through Nov. 5, 2022, featuring performances by national artists and regional musicians, a jazz film, panel discussion, community workshop, a presentation by a visiting scholar and five concerts. All events, including the concerts, are free to the public.
Headliners include saxophonist Tia Fuller and pianist/composer Dave Burrell (who is also donating his archives). We’ve got a track from Dave Burrell with innovative saxophonist David Murray to share..
November 12th has the Django Festival All-Stars in for two shows at MCG Jazz - Marc Myers has a great blog column and interview with Stefi Schmitt of the group - and we’ll hear some of their music, too.
Plus, saxophonist and record label owner (and former jazz club owner) Cory Weeds comes to Pittsburgh at Alphabet City, November 13th.
That’s a lot still happening in jazz in Pittsburgh - and we leave with a sigh and a memory of the great Shirley Horn - upon the discovery of a laserdisc documentary from the 1990’s that has been unearthed by the aforementioned Marc Myers - you can click and watch it on this page.
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Roger Humphries
Dave Burrell, courtesy Pitt Archives
Pitt Jazz
Tia Fuller